Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill.

Leave granted.

I table an explanatory memorandum, and I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

Every person in Australia, regardless of sex or gender, is likely to experience reproductive health issues at some point throughout their working lives. Many of these health issues can take a serious physical and mental toll on workers and can inhibit their ability to work.

While some people may simply want workplace flexibility, those who need leave to manage their reproductive health should be able to access it.

This Bill will give every worker the right to 12 days of paid reproductive health leave per year.

All employees will be able to access reproductive health leave. Much like paid family and domestic violence leave, this leave will be accessible to all workers, irrespective of their employment status: casual, part and full time employees.

No one should have to suffer financially or jeopardise their employment to manage their reproductive health. Whether it's for perimenopause and menopause, fertility treatments, chronic conditions like endometriosis or preventative screening for breast, cervical or prostate cancer—it's about supporting workers at every stage of life.

If someone wants to get a vasectomy or be with their partner for the first scan of their baby, they will be able to under this entitlement.

This Bill delivers on Australian Unions' It's For Every Body campaign for paid reproductive health leave.

It builds on Queensland's 10 days of paid reproductive health leave for workers in the Queensland Public Service, and Victoria's Public Service Agreement, which provides 5 days of paid reproductive health leave to Victorian Government employees.

It also follows many employers in the private sector who have implemented reproductive health leave policies.

Menopause is a natural life transition, yet for some women and people who menstruate, perimenopause and menopause symptoms can impact workforce participation. Ensuring access to flexible work arrangements, and providing leave where it is needed, are critical tools to ensure that all women and people who menstruate can continue to participate in the workforce for as long as they want.

Evidence to the Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause was that many women are leaving the workforce earlier to deal with their symptoms, whereas allowing them to access leave or request flexible working arrangements could see them continue in the workforce longer.

This Bill adds perimenopause and menopause as reasons an employee can request flexible working arrangements. This could look like the ability to start a bit later if you've had a rotten night's sleep or the right to work from home if you are having really heavy bleeding.

Flexibility to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms was one of the key calls from women, employers and unions who gave evidence to the Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause.

The Bill also amends the Workplace Gender Equality (Matters in relation to Gender Equality Indicators) Instrument 2023 to allow for the collection of data on the supports employers are providing, and their usage, for employees experiencing menopause and perimenopause, including specific workplace policies. WGEA used to collect this data on a voluntary basis, before it was found to be beyond the scope of the Act's remit. This change would permit and require WGEA to recommence this data collection, which will help build an evidence base on the existing approaches to menopause and perimenopause across organisations and help to paint a picture of what's working.

It is well over time to bring reproductive health issues out of the shadows and address the stigma. Paid reproductive health leave and expanded eligibility to flexible working arrangements will help do this.

Let's make employment work for everyone and ensure that workers don't suffer financially or jeopardise their employment to manage their reproductive health.

I commend the Bill to the Senate.

I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.