Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this amendment. The primary purpose of this bill is to implement the government's commitments in response to recommendations made by the Respect@Work report. I would also observe that in 2018 an entitlement of five days unpaid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period was inserted into the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act. This followed the Fair Work Commission's decision to provide five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave for employees covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission itself is currently reviewing the family and domestic violence leave clause in modern awards, and further consideration of the issue of paid leave by this government will be appropriately informed by the commission's consideration of the issue.

I would also note that employers of course are able to write entitlements that suit their own workplaces.