The Prime Minister’s axing of the Paid Parental Leave scheme has been criticised by Labor as "a desperate attempt to save his own leadership".
Tony Abbott officially axed his signature scheme on Monday, saying "I have listened, I have learned and I have acted".
In a statement, Shadow Minister for Families Jenny Macklin said Mr Abbott had "staked his leadership" on delivering the now-axed scheme.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also slammed Mr Abbott’s address, telling media in Melbourne that it was a “desperate speech from a politically drowning man aimed at pleasing his MPs”.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has also called for further detail on the Prime Minister's childcare announcement.
"Parents need certainty and that means the government has to commit to maintaining the current quality standards and increasing funding to keep care affordable," she said in a statement.
“With no direct commitment to injecting more funding, the Prime Minister must clarify whether his 1.5 per cent levy on big business will be used to fund childcare."
