LIBERALS SIDELINE ACTION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE

The Liberals’ have once again failed to prioritise domestic violence leave, with their bill for 5 days unpaid domestic violence leave not listed for debate in the parliament this week.

Despite a number of opportunities to bring the legislation providing for family and domestic violence leave on for debate, Scott Morrison and the Liberals have done nothing.

The Liberals need to focus on this extremely important issue and stop being distracted by the chaos within their own party.

 

While the Liberals try and get their act together, Labor has committed to introducing 10 days paid domestic violence leave into the National Employment Standards, if a Shorten Labor Government is elected.

 

Labor calls on Scott Morrison and his Liberals to adopt Labor’s commitment to 10 days’ paid leave.  Nothing less will suffice.

The combined stress of finding safe accommodation, seeking legal advice, accessing counselling services and medical treatment should not be compounded by the fear of losing your job or the financial disadvantage of going without pay.

No one should have to choose between their safety and their income.

Labor has listened to victims, frontline workers, businesses, unions and organisations that deal daily with domestic violence. Their clear message is that people who have experienced domestic violence need more support in the workplace.

State governments and many private sector employers already provide paid family violence leave, including Carlton & United Breweries, IKEA, NAB, Qantas, Telstra, Virgin Australia. These employers, and many others, have paved the way and helped reduce the stigma that often accompanies domestic violence. So too have Australia’s unions, campaigning for paid domestic and family violence leave over many years which has led to subsequent coverage in Australian workplaces. 

 

The complexity of family violence requires a strategic approach by all levels of government, business, and the community.