Tony Abbott has shown what happens when a politician acts before thinking.
The paid maternity scheme has been hammered, again, and again and again. If there are some bright spots they are with Peter van Onselen's mixed review in The Australian and Julia Perry in the SMH.
Feedback on the site indicates that people are not happy with this policy. Tony Abbott has to learn that you cannot propose a policy that increases tax on business when you are trying to maintain your economic dominance. Abbott must remember that Conservatives have always been seen as the "natural party of government" and throwing it away for a headline or some votes is very worrying.
Paid maternity leave must be carefully laid out ensuring that the impact on business is broadly neutral - the Liberals have done themselves a lot of harm with some big donors. Tony Abbott must now reduce corporation tax to compensate business.
