The Australian Labor Party has promised to amend legislation to permit parents who experience the loss of a baby to utilise employer-funded parental leave if they secure victory in the federal elections. This commitment comes in recognition of the profound emotional pain associated with such a loss, with Labor MP Steve Watt emphasising that financial concerns should be the last thing grieving parents should face.
The need for this change is highlighted by the experience of Chris Breen and his wife, who tragically lost their infant, Priya, when she was just six weeks old. While Breen was able to take his planned three months of parental leave, his wife was compelled to return to work as her employer rescinded her maternity leave. Despite qualifying for government benefits, she felt the system failed her during an already unbearably difficult time when they sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman. They were informed that the employer’s actions were not legally questionable, leaving the couple feeling that their experience was both “horrific and inhumane.”
Chris’s wife described the Labor pledge as a “bittersweet” development, expressing hope that no other parent would endure similar treatment. She shared her relief that Labour is proposing these changes, though she lamented her own treatment at work during their time of grief.
Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, also voiced her support for the proposed legislative change, stressing that no parent should be rushed back to work due to existing legal gaps.
Currently, under the Fair Work framework, parents whose babies are stillborn or pass away within the first 24 months are eligible for up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave. Chris and his wife have been proactive in advocating for reform, launching a petition that has garnered over 25,000 signatures, aimed at addressing the injustices faced by parents in similar situations.
In summary, the proposal to alter parental leave laws aims to provide necessary support for grieving families, preventing employers from cancelling entitlements and acknowledging the significant emotional and financial challenges that arise from such devastating losses. The call for change has gained momentum, with increasing public and political support, shining a spotlight on a previously overlooked area of concern for parents.