A Senate cross bencher believes the federal government will agree to increasing its paid parental leave scheme to 20 weeks and delay other changes for almost a year.
After long negotiations with Social Services Minister Christian Porter, Derryn Hinch says he expects the coalition will raise the 18 week cap to claim both the government parental scheme and employer-funded under a fair compromise.
"I think they will go for this, so it will be 20 weeks and it won't come in until October so any family that is pregnant now won't be affected," he told the Seven Network on Monday.
But fellow crossbencher Pauline Hanson agrees with the government's original plan to offer 18 weeks and prevent so-called "double-dipping".
"We have got to stop this welfare handout mentality," she said.
"Women have come a long way and yes we need to assist women to get back into the workforce and I'm all for that, but double dipping, totally oppose it and people have to be responsible for the kids they bring into this world, not the taxpayer."
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann was coy about the negotiations, but confirmed parliament would not be considering the measure before the long summer break.
"It clearly won't come into effect on January 1, 2017," he told ABC radio.
The precise starting time would be determined by an agreement with the cross bench.
