Paid reproductive leave 'massive win' for Queensland public servants
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Queensland public servants will soon receive paid leave to access reproductive healthcare including IVF and fertility treatments in an Australian-first initiative.
Premier Steven Miles today said at least 265,000 workers would benefit from the announcement, which will come into effect by October.
Eligible public sector staff will have access to 10 days per year for a range of treatments such as endometriosis, preventative screening for things like breast and prostate cancers and other treatments associated with reproductive health like hysterectomies and vasectomies.
“My government will lead the nation in introducing 10 days of reproductive health leave for all Queensland public sector workers,” Miles said.
“This means the women and men on our hardworking frontline have access to dedicated leave for things like IVF, endometriosis, vasectomies or reproductive cancer screening.”
The government also announced it would pay superannuation contributions for every week of the entire 52-week period of parental leave, paid or unpaid from July this year.
The 2023 Queensland Gender Equality Report Card found that the average gap between men and women was 19.8 per cent in 2020-21, and only 13.9 per cent of women could rely on their superannuation as their main source of retirement income.
“I don’t think it’s good enough that the primary caregiver, predominantly women, are disadvantaged at retirement,” Miles continued.
“That’s why my government will begin to pay superannuation to those in the public sector on all parental leave, paid and unpaid, to ensure the ongoing economic security of new parents, especially women.
“As Queensland’s largest employer, I am proud my government is leading the way when it comes to supporting workers and their families.”
It comes just two months after the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) called for “reproductive leave”.
QCU posted on social media following today’s announcement calling it a “massive win” for working people across the state.