The Nationals support a generous paid parental leave scheme, says deputy Barnaby Joyce, but he isn't sure if any party members would cross the floor to vote against a coalition government plan.
The coalition's $4.3 billion paid parental leave scheme, to be unveiled next week, will be paid for by a 1.5 per cent tax rise for Australia's 3000 biggest companies.
There have been reports some Nationals are unhappy with the scheme because it disadvantages stay-at-home mothers and regional women.
Senator Joyce says the party supports the scheme because it makes sure "the whole of Australia shares in the burden of giving us the generation that will support us in our old age pension".
"The only way that that is going to happen is if people feel that they're not at a financial disadvantage to make the decision to have a child," he told the Nine Network on Thursday.
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When asked if some National MPs would cross the floor to vote on it, Senator Joyce said "I can't read their minds".
