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Family & Domestic Violence Leave One Step Closer
The Albanese Government has delivered on a key election promise, putting legislation to parliament to lock in a minimum of ten days paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers.
National Vice President Leanne Holmes said the RTBU made a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee supporting the draft laws. Leanne said our submission argued that all full-time, part-time and casual workers should have access to paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave, and payment for leave must be at actual rates of pay (not base rates). Furthermore, entitlement to paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave must be available from commencement of employment, not progressively accrued. “The RTBU has already negotiated Family and Domestic Violence Leave into many Enterprise Agreements around Australia,” Leanne said. “We know that having the opportunity to take time o work is potentially life-saving for people caught in violent and controlling relationships. “Victims of domestic violence need time: time to find a place to live, time to see a doctor, time to set up new bank accounts and establish financial independence, time to enrol children in new schools, time to get counselling and professional support, and so on. “For victims who are also trying to hold down a job, that could be time they just don’t have.” In his speech introducing the news to Parliament, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke spoke passionately about the impact that family and domestic violence has on workers. “People often leave a relationship with just the clothes on their backs, and have to start from scratch to build a new life,” Tony said. “The economic impact on these workers and their families is nothing short of devastating. “Paid leave provides the financial support and economic security these individuals so urgently need to help them leave dangerous situations safely and rebuild their lives.” Tony Burke said the principle behind the paid leave entitlement was simple: getting out shouldn’t mean losing pay. An increasing number of employers—both large and small—are already providing a range of support to their employees experiencing family and domestic violence, including access to paid leave,” he said. “All states and territories now provide their employees with access to paid leave to deal with family and domestic violence. “This entitlement will be enshrined in the National Employment Standards and cover up to 11 million employees. “It will be a lifeline when women most need it, allowing workers to take necessary steps to stay safe, while retaining their jobs and their income.” At the time of writing, the new laws were being debated by the Senate. Stay tuned to the RTBU National facebook page for updates.
Tony Burke puts the finishing touches on his speech introducing Family & Domestic Violence Leave laws.
