Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend notice of motion No. 282 to correct a typo. This is entirely my fault. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was of course 25 November, not 5 November.

Leave granted.

I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Waters will also be sponsoring the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Waters, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 25 November 2019, was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women,

  (ii) it marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,

  (iii) the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence concludes on 10 December 2019, which is Human Rights Day,

  (iv) on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner, and

  (v) eight women a day are hospitalised after being assaulted by their spouse or partner;

(b) acknowledges that:

  (i) violence against women exists in many forms, including physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, social and financial,

  (ii) the effort to end violence against women requires unwavering genuine commitment, national leadership and fundamental cultural and attitudinal change,

  (iii) the responsibility to end violence against women rests with us all – from communities to individuals, governments, civil society and business, and

  (iv) the government and business can make it easier for women to leave abusive and violent relationships;

(c) recognises that the workplace represents a significant aspect of the prevention of family violence and violence against women, and notes that:

  (i) financial security and independence is vital to a woman leaving a violent relationship,

  (ii) in leaving a violent relationship, women will need to search for new and safe accommodation, and access health, legal and other support services,

  (iii) according to the ACTU, leaving an abusive relationship and finding new and safe accommodation costs on average $18,280 and takes an estimated 141 hours, and

  (iv) many employers already provide paid family violence leave; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to introduce 10 days paid domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to have this question divided into two parts, with parts, (a), (b) and (c) put separately to part (d).

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will put it to the vote in that order.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over 600 individuals and 400 organisations contributed to the development of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children and identified five national priorities. The fourth action plan is a record $340 million investment by the Morrison government to deliver on those priorities. In 2018, in a historic first, the coalition legislated to guarantee five days unpaid family and domestic violence leave as the new minimum safety net entitlement for all national system employees. This entitlement reflects the decision of the independent Fair Work Commission in relation to modern awards. Employers remain free to provide entitlements above this safety net consistent with their specific circumstances.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to the request from Senator Duniam, I'm going to put the question on parts (a), (b) and (c) of motion 282.

Question agreed to.

I will now put the question on part (d) of that motion.

Question agreed to.