‘We absolutely need to stay ahead of the curve’: Fein and Abels on domestic violence leave
As we await the outcome of the Government’s long-called upon bill for 10 days of domestic violence leave for all workers in Australia, Mumbrella’s Kalila Welch spoke with two industry powerhouses in Thrive PR founder Leilani Abels and Initiative CEO Melissa Fein, about how the new bill fits into the bigger picture of the industry’s typically progressive leave policies and employee entitlements.
Last month the Albanese government introduced a bill to Australia’s Federal Parliament to legislate ten days of family domestic violence leave for all Australian workings, including casuals, with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing domestic violence as a “stain on the national soul”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pictured with a group of domestic violence advocates and other politicians on the lawns of Parliament House (Credit: ABC News, Matt Roberts)
The bill is one that has been long sought after by domestic violence survivors and advocates, offering a new layer of much needed support for those seeking to leave violent relationships that will enable victims to take time of work without having to risk their employment or sacrifice income. With the Australian Bureau of Statics finding that at least one in four Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner since the age of 15, a crisis that has only worsened during the pandemic, the bill has been widely lauded as one that will save countless lives.
