'Deeply disappointing' that Government chose to 'bury' miscarriage leave report

Labour senator Marie Sherlock said it is "deeply disappointing" that the Government chose to "bury" her party's bill through voting in favour of a 12-month timed amendment on Wednesday evening. File photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Government has been strongly criticised for voting in favour of "burying" the recommendations of its own report on miscarriage leave.

This week, the Coalition voted to delay any further progress on a bill that would provide leave for those who suffer a miscarriage or who need to take time off work for fertility treatments such as IVF.

Labour's Bill, which will now not be scrutinised for 12 months after the Government's intervention, aims to provide up to 20 days paid leave for employees who experience early pregnancy loss, and up to 10 days paid leave for employees accessing reproductive healthcare.

However, the first recommendation in a report commissioned by the Department of Children states that a statutory right to paid leave should be introduced for pre-viability pregnancy loss, regardless of the gestational stage or the reason for the loss.

It goes on to recommend that a right to paid leave for pregnancy loss should also be introduced for partners as this is needed in order "to process their own loss and to support their partner".

Labour senator Marie Sherlock said it is "deeply disappointing" that the Government chose to "bury" her party's bill through voting in favour of a 12-month timed amendment on Wednesday evening.

"What is even more frustrating for us, and the thousands of women and couples across the country who could be helped by our bill, is that the government was already in possession of this report at the time that it decided to further delay our proposal."

Recommending the introduction of paid leave, "first it would allow for a period of recovery, and second it would show societal recognition of the impact of pre-viability pregnancy loss."

The expert group stated that any leave introduced should be of sufficient duration to meet the needs of those affected, which are presented in this report.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

The report authors also concluded that "political leadership is needed to drive changes in public awareness and perceptions surrounding pregnancy loss — in general, and specifically relating to workplaces and how to support workers in this regard".

"This requires various actions, such as the inclusion of education around pregnancy loss as part of overall sexual and reproductive health education within schools, antenatal curricula, and through other channels/settings, and in national policies and action plans."

Ms Sherlock commended the authors of the report which surveyed almost 1,000 workers on their experience of pregnancy loss and also examined international best practice.

She said the report provides a strong argument for the introduction of more compassionate workplace policies for those struggling with their fertility and pregnancy losses. 

"It only adds to the courageous advocacy of those who have raised their voice to explain what a compassionate workplace would have meant for them as they suffered a pregnancy loss, or countless rounds of IVF."

Mr O'Gorman described the report as "very informative" and said it will assist the creation and implementation of policy in this area.