DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
27/11/2012
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about domestic violence and workplaces.
Leave granted.
The Hon. K.J. MAHER: White Ribbon Day, Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women, was held last weekend, and I want to pay tribute to a lot of the honourable members in this chamber who attended the breakfast, including the Hon. John Dawkins and others who are ambassadors for White Ribbon Day. We know that women who experience domestic violence require a great deal of assistance and support to get themselves out of these terrible situations. Can the minister advise the chamber how public sector workplaces will be assisting women?
The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and acknowledge and congratulate those members in this council who are White Ribbon ambassadors. White Ribbon Day was this Sunday, and this question is particularly timely.
I am sure that members would have applauded to hear the recent announcement by my colleague, minister Wortley, regarding the public sector enterprise agreements. Public servants covered by the SA Public Sector Wages Parity Enterprise Agreement and schoolteachers experiencing domestic violence are now able to access leave and other entitlements for reasons of domestic violence, with a clause being inserted into the agreement.
I am delighted to inform the chamber that public sector employees will soon be provided with additional support from their employer through new policies aimed to assist workers experiencing escaping domestic violence. Today I am very pleased to advise that, following the development of the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion’s domestic violence workplace policy in March this year, all government agencies will be required to develop their own policies.
I would at this point like to acknowledge the Hon. Ian Hunter in this area, who oversaw the development of this very important policy which was first piloted and introduced into his agency and which has been a very effective model for us to now roll out to the rest of the public service. These policies encourage employees who experience domestic violence to seek support and outline available departmental assistance, including access to leave.
The policy also encourages discussion and recognition of issues related to domestic violence, with the intention of creating and cultivating cultural change within organisations. This could include attending legal or support service appointments, or any other activities that may be necessary to maintain their safety and progress towards a life free of domestic violence.
Many of the women who experience domestic violence in Australia are in paid employment, so this level of support that they will receive through this policy initiative is extremely important to these women in particular. Remaining in paid employment is critical for women to move to a life free of violence and abuse, and supporting victims to maintain their financial independence and security is essential.
It is much harder to make significant life-changing choices when a person is affected significantly economically; it makes it very difficult for women to make other choices. Domestic violence occurs regardless of social standing or occupation, so ensuring our workplaces are safe and supportive environments is an important step in protecting victims of domestic violence.
Domestic violence can have significant and detrimental impacts on the workplace, and just one example is where the workplace can be used as a place for perpetrators to harass women and to locate their whereabouts, and I know we have all heard about tragic events occurring in workplaces.
These policies will not only support women but such policies will also benefit the organisation by assisting to maintain employee productivity and to reduce organisational recruitment and training costs. I am very pleased that domestic violence workplace policies are gaining increasing momentum around the world, with Australia at the forefront of this important work.
The PRESIDENT: A supplementary question: the Hon. Ms Vincent.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:11): Was any special consideration given to employees with disabilities, given that it may be more difficult for them again to leave such situations?
The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:11): These policy provisions apply to all employees, including those with disabilities.
