Paid Period Leave

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, or himself, a question about paid leave.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. C. BONAROS: As industrial relations officer, I think the Attorney can handle this.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: According to a recent report, Victoria could soon have access to paid period leave after the union representing public sector workers negotiated a new deal with the Victorian state government. That agreement would give public servants access to an extra five days of leave for menstruation, menopause and other reproductive health issues. The Victorian public sector includes anyone employed by government bodies like the Department for Education and so forth.

Part of the agreement reached between Victoria's Community and Public Sector Union and the state government focuses on ways to improve gender equality outcomes within the public sector. This includes extending leave entitlements to recognise women's health and reproductive rights, menstruation and menopause. My questions to the Attorney, or Minister for Industrial Relations, are:

1. Is he aware of the Victorian precedent that is being set, and has any consideration been given to doing the same here in South Australia?

2. Have any similar representations been made to the minister by any of the unions, or anybody else, including members of parliament?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for her question. I do not have a lot of detail, but it is a matter I am loosely aware of, and which has been raised by others in the wake of Victorian negotiations.

As I have said before, we are absolutely open to discussions about any matters in terms of bargaining with public sector unions—which I understand gave rise to this entitlement in parts of the Victorian public sector as a result of negotiations. We have taken a very different attitude and view to the last government, in terms of negotiations with public sector unions, where we would genuinely, and in a bona fide way, conduct negotiations without putting bounds on things like refusing from the outset to even consider backpay when agreements have long passed their expiry. We are more than happy for this to be discussed.

Paid parental leave has become part of industrial agreements in the South Australian public sector as a result of strong advocacy from unions who represent public sector workers. As matters are raised, we will, with an open mind, enter into good faith discussions and negotiations.