New laws in Australia push for paid domestic violence leave

This comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to introduce new laws during his government’s first week of parliament as one of 18 pieces of Labour’s priority legislation. 

The new leave scheme is set to begin next February for most employees before it is fully implemented by August 2023.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke confirmed the new laws will include leave for casual workers following concerns they would not be included in the scheme. 

“The principle is if someone is wanting to get out, we don’t want ‘do you lose your job or are you going to lose money?’ to be on the list of difficulties that that individual is facing,” he told ABC radio.

“The reality is, disproportionately people in casual work are in those situations. If you’re facing family and domestic violence, you are more likely to be in insecure work.”

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Employers will be responsible for paying the 10 days leave, but small businesses will be allowed a six-month adjustment period. The new laws would also allow employers to ask for proof of a person’s domestic situation, which could include police reports or a medical certificate.