An Australian Financial Review report alleges Tony Abbott is prepared to water down his paid parental leave scheme in an attempt to pass it through parliament.

It is alleged Mr Abbott last week told colleagues that more changes were expected to the $5.5 billion policy, which is unpopular within the Coalition.

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The maximum payment under the PPL has already been changed to $50,000 for six months, down from a generous $75,000.

The report alleges that MPs are pushing for a PPL scheme similar to Labor’s, which pays the minimum wage for 18 weeks.