Paid family and domestic violence leave to be introduced 'as soon as possible', government says

The Fair Work Commission is working to determine the government's timeframe to legislate 10 days paid domestic violence leave after releasing a draft model.

A man standing at a lectern.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has confirmed to the Fair Work Commission that the government will amend the National Employment Standards to include paid family and domestic violence leave. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

This story contains references to domestic violence.

The Albanese government has formally told the industrial umpire it will introduce 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave into the National Employment Standards as soon as possible.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke confirmed to the Fair Work Commission on Thursday the government would amend the standards.

The umpire had sought clarification on the path forward when it released a statement .

Interested parties will now have until 1 July to work with the Commonwealth to draft a leave model in line with the provisional view that employees be entitled to 10 days paid domestic violence leave a year.
The leave should accrue progressively in the same way as annual leave and should accumulate from year to year, but be subject to a 10 days accrued cap, the commission said.

The entitlement should be paid at the employee's base rate and not be available to casuals, the umpire says.

It also slated the leave entitlement should be accessible in advance of leave accruing by agreement between an employee and their employer.

Parties will be able to make submissions on the draft model, and the Commonwealth government has been provided an opportunity to clarify whether it proposes to amend the draft model until July 1.

The commission is also working to clarify the government's timeframe on introducing the legislation.
In a letter to commission president Iain Ross, Mr Burke says the government will introduce the leave into the employment standards "as soon as possible ... consistent with the commitments made in the government's Secure Australian Jobs Plan".

"The government is committed to providing the national leadership and investment needed to help end family, domestic and sexual violence," Mr Burke wrote in the letter dated June 16.

"I want to thank the Fair Work Commission and the stakeholders who have engaged in the review for the work undertaken to progress this critically important issue."

Parliament is slated to return in the final week of July.

If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000. The Men’s Referral Service provides advice for men on domestic violence and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.

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3 min read
Published 16 June 2022 4:11pm
Source: SBS News


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