New mums will be able to claim maternity leave from their employers as well as the government scheme if Labor is elected on July 2, reversing the government’s plan to allow only one source of income.

Last year former Liberal Treasurer Joe Hockey described claiming both schemes as `double dipping’.

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But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Labor will make sure that working mums aren’t penalised, which a preliminary estimate by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office says will cost $1.4 billion over the four-year budget estimates.

Mr Shorten, meanwhile, says the federal election is about policies not personalities.

“It’s not about Malcolm Turnbull or myself, it’s about the people of Australia,” Mr Shorten told the Seven Network just hours before the Prime Minister is expected to visit the Governor-General and request a double-dissolution election on July 2.

Mr Shorten said Australians will be looking for positive plans for jobs, for Medicare and education, a fairer taxation system, housing affordability for first homebuyers and real action on climate change.