LABOR WELCOMES DV LEAVE REVIEW

TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
MEMBER FOR BARTON

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES 

Labor welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s decision to accelerate its review of paid domestic violence leave – and once again calls on the Morrison Government to support this important change.

The ACTU called for this review to be prioritised because the union movement knows that paid domestic violence leave would save lives.

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

Paid domestic violence leave would give women the means to escape their abusers without risking their jobs.

That’s why Labor has introduced a private member’s bill into Parliament to give Australian women access to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

The best way to deliver paid domestic violence leave would be to legislate in the Parliament. The union movement has only turned to the Commission because the Morrison Government refuses to support Labor’s bill or deliver this reform itself.

Labor’s bill would provide for 10 days paid DV leave as a universal right in the National Employment Standards. The Commission’s review will not result in a universal right for all Australians.

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

They’re leading because Scott Morrison is failing to lead. It’s time he stopped dodging responsibility for this and acted.

THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 2021