TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT LABOR’S CALL FOR 10 DAYS PAID DV LEAVE

TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
 
JULIE COLLINS MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
 
SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
 
 

Labor will introduce into the parliament a private member’s bill to give Australian women access to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness among women aged between 15 and 44 years of age.

Violence against women and their children represented a national crisis before this pandemic. Recent events have only underlined the reality that home is not a safe place for everyone.

Income and financial capacity are key determinants to whether a woman is able to escape family or domestic violence.

Leaving an abusive or violent relationship presents one of the most dangerous periods for a woman.

In leaving abuse or violence, women incur significant time and financial costs including finding a new place to live; seeking legal support; receiving medical treatment; or enrolling their children in a new school.

No one should have to make the choice between their earning capacity and their safety.

This is why Labor is introducing a private members bill to provide for 10 days paid Domestic Violence leave as a universal workplace right in the National Employment Standards.

KPMG estimates violence against women and their children costs the Australian economy $22 billion per year.*

$860 million was attributed to ‘absenteeism from paid and unpaid work and the inability to perform household tasks and voluntary work’.

$1.6 billion was attributed to costs associated with transfer payments including loss of revenue from income tax and additional social security payments.

Jim Stanford of the Centre for Future Work says paid domestic violence leave would reduce absenteeism; reduce turnover; and in turn reduce the costs of recruitment and training new employees.**

Paid domestic violence leave will contribute to cultural and attitudinal change and prompt us as a community to take more responsibility.

Many employers already provide paid family violence leave, including Medicare, CUB, Telstra, NAB, Virgin Australia, IKEA, Qantas and the NSW Government.

Preventing family violence is everyone’s business, and it is time for the Commonwealth Government to show leadership.

It’s time for the Government to support Labor’s calls for 10 days paid domestic violence leave.

*** If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000” ***

*KPMG, The cost of violence against women and their children in Australia: final report , report prepared for the Department of Social Services, May 2016.

**Economic Aspects of Paid Domestic Violence Leave Provisions, Jim Stanford, Centre for Future Work at the Australian Institute, December 2016.

TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020