In the Wannon electorate, over 8020 mothers have missed out on $9 million in superannuation over the past nine years.

When a parent takes their parental leave, there is no requirement to pay super during that period. Unless an employer voluntarily pays super on leave, working mother's savings fall further behind.

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A total of 40 new fathers in the same situation in the Wannon electorate lost zero superannuation.

Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said more disruptions could come up in the future.

"The Morrison Government made reforms to the paid parental leave scheme in 2020 to enhance its flexibility and allow Australian families to choose how to use parental leave between primary and secondary carer," Mr Tehan said.

"Given the disruptions to Australia's workforce due to COVID-19, we have not seen the full impact of these reforms since they were proclaimed. It would be remiss of this government to make further changes without proper consideration of the changes already made."

LOST SUPER FROM PARENTAL LEAVE? CONTACT US: alison.foletta@austcommunitymedia.com.au

Mr Tehan said to support working mothers in Wannon (and across Australia) the Morrison Government is focused on improving retirement outcomes for women by increasing superannuation coverage and making our system fairer for women and all Australians.

"In the 2021/2022 Budget the Government announced it would remove the $450 per-month threshold for superannuation eligibility, benefitting almost 200,000 women who are working part-time or in multiple jobs accrue super for their future," he said.

"The government also announced extending access to the downsizer contribution and removing the work test to improve the superannuation system's flexibility."

Industry Super Australia Advocacy Director Georgia Brumby said Wimmera women are being made to sacrifice their retirement savings to have children.

"It's hard enough trying to juggle work and raising a family - it's not fair that thousands of women are also being slugged with this hidden pregnancy tax on their super as well," she said.

Ms Brumby asked that the Federal Government to look at the gender super gap and take action.

"The Prime Minister needs to fix this glaring inequity and stop ignoring the gender super gap - otherwise we will continue to see too many women at risk of retiring into poverty," she said.

The typical woman nearing retirement has about $100,000 less super than the average man.

Women of all ages have less super than men, but the gap widens dramatically when women are in their 30s when many take time out of the workforce to raise children.

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