Australia’s Queensland state scraps “maternity leave” term

Queensland state in Australia is replacing the term “maternity leave” with “birth-related leave” in efforts to be more gender neutral.

Changes to the act under the state’s industrial relations laws were put forward by Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, which is part of a wider legislative change that aims to strengthen workers’ protections by making workplaces more inclusive. 

The government hopes that the change in terms would promote gender inclusivity and encourage gender-neutral language.

“It removes language implying gendered divisions of parental leave,” said the government.  Another clause outlined in the amendment includes the replacement of the word “she” with “employee”. 

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Other amendments include the protection of workers subject to sexual harassment, improving entitlements on adoption leave, gender pay equity changes, and the provision of leave for parents whose children were stillborn.

“[We are] committed to doing all we can to prevent sexual harassment and gender inequity,” the minister said, reports NCA Newswire.