Opposition leader Tony Abbott attempted to wade into traditional Labor territory when he announced his plans for a six-month paid parental leave scheme.

While we applaud action on this issue, please forgive our scepticism. Mr Abbott's scheme is another in a very long line of proposals raised by our political leaders in the past 20 years.

Despite former Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott-Despoja first introducing paid maternity leave legislation into Federal Parliament in 2002, our nation remains without an operating paid parental leave program.

To be fair, the Rudd Government has proposed an 18-week scheme with payment at the minimum wage but it is yet to be ratified by the parliament.

On the surface, Mr Abbott's plan seems more generous than the one proposed the government. But underneath, social and business leaders already have raised serious questions.

Ironically, one of the big wins Mr Abbott has had since becoming Opposition leader has been his rhetoric that Labor's Emission Trading Scheme is "one great big tax". It has gained significant traction in the community.

With his parental leave scheme to be paid for by a levy on big business, there are many in that community already suggesting his latest policy is his own version of a big tax.

It remains to be seen as to how much Mr Abbott's scheme will actually cost and how workers - particularly those who work part-time - will be treated.

What should not be lost in the political debate is the importance of what a paid parental leave scheme means for not only workers but the economy.

There has been a move generally in society to equality in the workforce and a recognition of the role that all our workers, regardless of creed, colour, family situation and sex have in maintaining our prosperous and innovative

economy.

In a changing world where families are continually becoming time-poor, the efforts of governments and businesses to look their greatest asset - people - should be paramount.

A paid parental leave scheme is at the very heart of these issues and we implore our politicians to morph their recognition of the changes in society into real action for families on this issue.