Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations: What is the Albanese Labor government doing to protect workplace entitlements of parents who suffer the devastating loss of a child to stillbirth or early infant death?

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank the member for Lalor for the question and for her advocacy for those parents who have suffered the devastating loss of a child. Experiencing stillbirth or the death of a child is an inconceivable tragedy, and, unfortunately for some parents, it becomes a too-real reality.

The last thing any parent should have to deal with after grieving the loss of a child is the uncertainty around their employer paid parental leave. It is for those parents that our government has introduced the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025, which passed through the House today. The bill is named after Priya, who heartbreakingly died when she was just six weeks old. Priya's mother explained that, after informing her employer her child had passed away, she lost access to her paid parental leave and had to negotiate to return to work while grieving the loss of the child. Priya's parents were determined to protect others from the same fate and began advocating for change. Our government listened, and we're making that change happen.

Baby Priya's bill introduced a principle into the Fair Work Act that protects employer paid parental leave in the event a child is stillborn or dies. It brings these protections in line with government paid parental leave and unpaid leave arrangements. This bill only applies where there is a lack of clarity on an employee's leave if a child is stillborn or dies after birth. Priya's bill has sparked an outpouring of public support, like from Tammy, who wrote: 'I remember having to go back to work within six weeks after the loss of my baby daughter. I am so pleased that there has been the needed reform in this space.'

While it's been heartening to see support across the parliament, it has been disappointing to see the efforts of a few who are trying to make this something that it's not. This morning, I got a message from Priya's mum, who reminded us all about what this bill is about. Priya's mum said: 'I want to sincerely thank every speaker who has supported this bill with such compassion, sensitivity and care. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has embraced and supported this legacy of love.' No parent should have to go through what Priya's parents experienced, and that is why our government has acted.