Page 3612 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 24 November 2021
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(b) losing a child is not an illness, it is a loss that should be appropriately recognised;
(2) notes that:
(a) approximately one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage—103 000 every year, 282 each day;
(b) on 10 September 2021, the Commonwealth Government amended the Fair Work Act 2009 to provide specific leave entitlements for miscarriage;
(c) the New South Wales Government became the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce paid leave for public sector employees after the miscarriage of a child; and
(d) the ACT Government has clarified in the enterprise agreements being balloted that a paid leave scheme is available for public sector employees—in full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary work—for an employee or the spouse of an employee who experiences a miscarriage or stillbirth. This includes:
(i) up to five days compassionate leave to all employees and their domestic partners who experience miscarriage; and
(ii) 18 weeks of birth leave for stillborn babies; and
(3) calls on the ACT Government to:
(a) implement the agreement once agreed by employees and approved by the Fair Work Commission; and
(b) continue supporting all employees and protecting their workplace rights through enterprise bargaining.
On 8 October this Assembly passed a motion with tripartite support recognising 15 October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. This was an important and moving day for many people in our community, including those of us in the Assembly who have experienced the pain and loss of pregnancy and infant loss. Ms Lee noted, with the passing of the motion, the important message that it sent to families around the world. The message that it sent to Canberrans was that they are not alone.
In Australia approximately one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage, accounting for 282 per day or 103,000 every year. We also know that this is probably a conservative estimate. Some miscarriages occur early in the term before people realise or register that they are pregnant. I know that around the world today there are many families grieving the loss of a child. The social stigma associated with the loss of unborn infant children is real.
Today the Canberra Liberals are calling on the ACT government to introduce a paid leave scheme for public sector employees in full-time, part-time, permanent or temporary work for five days if they or their partner experience a miscarriage. It is the
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