Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025

Ms RISHWORTH (Kingston—Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) (12:33): I would like to thank everyone that's contributed to this very important bill in front of the House today, the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025. Australia is one of the safest places in the world for a baby to be born, but, sadly, stillbirths and child loss do happen.

The loss of a child is one of the most devastating things a parent can experience. It has profound and long-lasting impacts on parents, families and communities. These are incredibly difficult circumstances for workers and, indeed, managers to navigate.

This bill will ensure that there is greater clarity regarding employer-funded paid parental leave for parents dealing with the tragedy of stillbirth or death of a child. These changes made by this bill align employer paid leave with the existing arrangements for unpaid parental leave entitlements and the government's Paid Parental Leave scheme, neither of which can be cancelled in the event of a stillbirth or a death of a child, ensuring the consistency of working parents and employers.

This bill will not interfere with employers and employees who have expressly agreed, including via an enterprise agreement, what should occur if a child is stillborn or dies. Provisions that refer generally to circumstances of pregnancy, such as some reproductive leave entitlements, will not be enough to override the protections in this bill. I was disappointed to hear the contributions of a small minority in this House who have tried to pretend this bill is about something that it is not.

What this bill is about is giving certainty to grieving parents at the most difficult time of their lives. That's what this is about, and, as we have heard from the vast majority of members of all political colours who have contributed to this debate, this bill will make a positive difference. It will provide much-needed comfort and clarity to parents who are dealing with unimaginable pain.

We cannot lose sight of the purpose of this bill or how important this is for those workers. This is a vital reform. It protects employer funded paid parental leave entitlements at one of the most difficult times a parent can face.

In conclusion, I again give a shout-out to acknowledge Baby Priya and, of course, Baby Priya's parents for their fierce advocacy to ensure that no parent ever goes through what they did. I commend the bill to the House. Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time. Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.