Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey says the Coalition is absolutely committed to its paid parental leave policy, saying it creates a level platform for small business.
Liberal backbencher Alex Hawke has called on his party to dump the policy, saying it was an expensive program which wasn't affordable.
But Mr Hockey says the policy would not change before the September 14 election.
"It went through the party room, it's been ratified by the party room of which Mr Hawke is a member," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"One backbencher going off like this, it's certainly nothing compared to a backbencher trying to launch a challenge against Julia Gillard." Mr Hockey earlier told an Institute of Public Affairs forum that the coalition's plan would greatly aid small businesses.
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"Tony Abbott and our policy is the only one that gives small business exactly the same platform as big business," he said. "And importantly, small business doesn't have to pay ... It's a leveller."
