TANGNEY federal Liberal MP Dennis Jensen says “a number of colleagues” are concerned about the Coalition’s lavish paid parental leave policy, which includes a big new tax for companies.

If elected in September, Tony Abbott plans to allow new mothers to be paid their full wage for 26 weeks, up to $75,000 (so a woman earning up to $150,000 a year keeps getting their full pay).

To pay for the scheme, the Opposition Leader will make Australia’s 300 largest companies pay a new 1.5 per cent levy.

The companies are expected to pass the rise in their costs on to consumers.

The Australian newspaper quoted Dr Jensen saying, “there hasn’t been a detailed policy debate on the issue in the partyroom, but I think that it is one that needs to be had”.

Dr Jensen says he stands for, “lower tax, smaller government, free market, family and a fair go”, and has taken to Facebook and Twitter to ask constituents what they think.

Labor’s parental leave plan will pay new parents only the minimum wage.