Abbott: 'Paid parental leave scheme for women of calibre' The paid parental leave scheme was announced by Mr Abbott in 2012 as testament the Coalition understood the problems of Australia's working women. Picture: File Source: Supplied TONY Abbott's expensive paid parental leave scheme is "all about" encouraging women of "calibre" to have children, the Opposition Leader said today. It's also about fairness and productivity in the economy, said Mr Abbott as he defended his pet PPL policy against criticisms from within the Liberal Party, and from business. But he highlighted the benefits for well educated women in top executive roles under his proposed payments. Mr Abbott today said these women were "in the prime of life and they should be able not just to have kids, but to have careers." "We do not educate women to higher degree level to deny them a career," he said. If we want women of that calibre to have families, and we should, well we have to give them a fair dinkum chance to do so. That is what this scheme of paid parental leave is all about. Big business joining critics of Mr Abbott's signature paid parental leave scheme as Coalition MPs prepare to pressure their leader to modify it. Mr Abbott's predicament has been summed up by a shadow minister: "There's only one vote for it in the party room." Three Liberal MPs have publicly spoken out against the proposal in a revolt started Alex Hawke, the member for the NSW seat of Mitchell. Others are complaining in private. It is mounting into a challenge to the authority of Mr Abbott. The Opposition Leader has made it clear his proprietorship over the policy. The paid parental leave scheme was announced and staunchly defended by Mr Abbott in March 2012 as testament the Coalition understood the problems of Australia's working women. It would cost $4.3 billion raised by a 1.5 per cent tax on just over 3000 big earning companies. It would pay a mother looking after a new born her full wage - up to $150,000 a year - for six months. It is one of the most generous proposals in the world but the cost, the need for a tax increase, and the lack of consultation has turned some Liberal MPs against it. Business is also fighting the plan with the head of the Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox Monday night saying: "There are no positives, no upsides in this policy that we can see for business. "It's inequitable," Mr Innes told ABC TV. Only the top 3000 or so companies would be paying and they'd be subsidising for everyone else. That doesn't make sense on that level. The current system is operating well. It has very broad business and community support. We don't see any reason to change. The Government's current scheme pays women the average wage for their six months of leave. "Alex Hawke is not alone," said John Roskam of the economically dry Institute for Public Affairs. There's widespread concern that the Coalition is supporting a tax increase. And at this time, the Coalition should be talking about cutting taxes and cutting spending, not increasing taxes. Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said Mr Abbott's comments about "women of calibre" are an insight into "his lack of respect for low income workers, and women in particular." Who exactly does Mr Abbott think are women of calibre? What does he think about women who are child care workers, nurses and community sector workers? Said Ms Plibersek. Are they of lower calibre than women who are law firm partners?