Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Periods, menopause, endo, egg retrievals—we don't often talk about these things in the Senate. That is starting to change, thanks to some work of some excellent colleagues. But we definitely don't talk about these things in workplaces, and that needs to change as well.

Today I want to take a little time to talk about an issue that touches every corner of our workforce, regardless of gender, age or occupation, and that's the need for paid reproductive health leave. The It's for Every Body campaign is being led by the Queensland Council of Unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and they are seeking to enshrine 10 days of paid reproductive health leave into our National Employment Standards. This is an initiative that is not just about fairness but would be a step towards building a more inclusive, equitable and supportive workplace for all Australians.

Reproductive health issues vary significantly and can affect workers at any stage of their lives. From menstruation to contraception, to menopause, to hormone therapy and, yes, even to vasectomies, these are things that every family has to deal with from time to time. But they're aspects of health care that require time. They require our workplaces to be flexible, to ensure workers are supported adequately.

This is a campaign that's close to my heart because it would have changed the experience that I had as a mother who accessed reproductive health care to start my family. I also know that there are many families out there—and particularly many men—who go through a difficult and challenging time trying to start a family through IVF.

It really is a time where you go through a process of not talking about it, instead of having the support of your workplace, your family and your colleagues. Now, reproductive leave would provide to women and families the flexibility they need with fertility treatment, chronic conditions, miscarriages and breast screenings. Too many men and women have gone to work in pain or while going through personal and demanding treatments, with a lack support from their employer due to our current leave entitlements and also the stigma that comes with reproductive health care. In the words of Jacqueline King, QCU general secretary:

It's time we have a mature conversation about how we can better support workers undergoing these kinds of treatments …

Reproductive health leave as a national employment standard will support a workforce which is happier, healthier, more productive and more inclusive.

Those are the words of Jacqueline King, but we know that reproductive health care is essential and our leave entitlements should be talked about and considered in that context. It's essential for our workforce and for our workplace health and safety to ensure that our communities are thriving and that people get a chance to start a family when they need to. At the moment, workers have to take the gamble of entering a new workplace not knowing whether they will have to negotiate with their employers to receive the support they really need to go through that pretty difficult time.

While we've seen progress at a state level, with the Queensland government recently introducing 10 days of paid reproductive leave for public sector workers, we need to ensure that this right is talked about as a possible extension for all workers in Australia. The time has come for our workforces to acknowledge that reproductive leave could be a really important opportunity for every worker regardless of their employer or their industry. Reproductive health does not discriminate. Every single family I know has some experience with making those appointments, getting to those doctors and having to be available at certain times of the day and at certain times of your cycle.

Men and women of all ages, backgrounds and occupations require flexibility from their workplace to address these types of issues. I look forward to speaking to the Senate on many more occasions about this important campaign. Australians deserve to work in an environment where they're not penalised for their reproductive health needs. I thank the Senate.

Senate adjourned at 20:12