Page 4046 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 December 2021
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I wrote to Senator Michaelia Cash, Australian Minister for Industrial Relations, calling for 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave to be included in the national employment standards. Twenty-nine local unions and local women’s services and domestic violence support services sector representatives added their names in support of this letter.
Gendered violence remains a hidden pandemic. Support services are experiencing increasing numbers of individuals seeking support. Sadly, even during these 16 days, two women’s lives have been stolen as a result of domestic and family violence. We must pay more serious attention to this important issue.
In response to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ review into commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “I wish I found it more surprising.” I am surprised. It is shocking that the review found that 51 per cent of workers experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment or attempted sexual harassment. Contrary to the Prime Minister’s view, everyone should be surprised. They should be outraged about the continued perpetration of violence and sexual harassment in our workplaces.
In Australia more than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. As I said, two women’s lives were stolen just in these 16 days. Women are nearly three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than men.
The process of escaping a violent relationship is a time of highly increased risk for victim-survivors. It takes time and resources that are not equally available to everyone. This is especially the case if you are not supported by your workplace and cannot afford to take time off work.
Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue that needs to be publicly acknowledged and addressed rather than continuing to be hidden. People experiencing domestic and family violence must have access to support to escape to safety. Paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers should provide essential access to support for victim-survivors of violence.
In 2013 the ACT government recognised this. We introduced 20 days of paid leave for domestic and family violence purposes as a formal entitlement in ACT government enterprise agreements. The Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens political party have both committed to introducing 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave into the national employment standards.
I have continually called on the commonwealth to introduce 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave in the national employment standards. I have invited the Canberra Liberals to take the chance to put politics aside to make this joint call with tripartisan support. This would be a really strong statement from all members of the ACT Assembly to victim-survivors, domestic violence crisis services, workers and unions. However, this invitation has not been accepted.
Just last week our Assembly engaged in a discussion led by the Canberra Liberals about ensuring that women have access to fair and secure rights and entitlements.
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