Wednesday, June 22, 2016

ACTU: Domestic Violence Leave rubbished by Carnell and Cash

Response from ACTU President Ged Kearney to Kate Carnell’s comments on Domestic Violence Leave
21 June 2016

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) notes with concern the comments from the supposedly impartial small business ombudsman Kate Carnell in the Australian Financial Review this morning on domestic violence leave.

The ACTU has been at the forefront of efforts to establish domestic violence leave in all modern awards. Ms Carnell’s comments are deeply disappointing and show a lack of understanding of the issues at play.

Quotes attributable to ACTU President Ged Kearney:

  • “The argument being put forward by small business ombudsman Kate Carnell and Minister for Women and Employment Michaelia Cash that domestic violence leave will make employers less likely to hire women harks back to the arguments made against equal pay, maternity leave, and indeed to the arguments made against every incremental advancement for women in the workplace.”
  • “It is profoundly disappointing when a person in a position that requires political neutrality trots out the Turnbull Government’s lines, and even more so when those lines are designed to stop an initiative that would help people experiencing domestic violence keep their jobs.”
  • “Ms Carnell seems unaware that personal leave is in many cases inadequate for people experiencing domestic violence, as employees are not able to take personal leave to attend court appearances or to relocate for safety reasons”.

The ACTU claim in the Fair Work Commission on domestic violence leave:

The ACTU claim seeks to extend the right to domestic violence leave to all workers.
The claim is for 10 days paid domestic violence leave for workers to attend court appearances, medical and legal appointments and make safety and re-location arrangements.

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