Queensland will offer public servants 10 days of reproductive health leave annually, including IVF treatment.
Premier Steven Miles, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, and Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace announced the new policy less than six months out from the state election.
The Queensland Labor government will face the polls on Oct. 26, 2024, with recent indications showing the Liberal National Party opposition ahead.
The new deal will apply to about 265,000 public servants in the state, and can also apply to chronic reproductive health conditions like endometriosis.
Further, public servants receiving leave can use the benefit for breast and prostate cancer screening, along with hysterectomies and vasectomies.
Superannuation Benefits For Everyone
On top of health leave, public servants will also receive superannuation payments on top of unpaid parental leave.
Superannuation is currently only paid to those who are on paid parental leave.
Explaining the change, the government said the 2023 Queensland Gender Equality Report Card revealed a nearly 20 percent balance gap between the superannuation of men and women.
Just 13.9 percent of Queensland women are able to rely on superannuation alone for their retirement income.
Going forward, state public servants will now have superannuation pay for the entire 52 week period of parental leave—paid or not.
Minister for Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said no mums or dads should look back at their super statements and see big gaps.
“We know the financial challenges that new parents can face, particularly with the national cost-of-living pressures everyone is experiencing at the moment,” she said.
The minister was unashamed of her ambition for the Queensland state government to be the employer of choice.
‘Special’: Queensland Union Secretary Who Conceived 2 Sets of Twins Via IVF
For Australian Workers Union Secretary Stacey Schinnerl, the announcement was “really special” given she conceived two sets of twins via IVF.She explained her and her husband underwent multiple difficult and painful procedures as part of their journey.
“This announcement will mean that workers in the public service will no longer have to exhaust their personal leave balances in order to address reproductive health issues, which will mean sick leave can be kept for when you are sick,” she said.
“It is also great to see that this announcement isn’t gendered—men will be able to access this leave for a range of different men’s health procedures, such as prostate exams, vasectomies and IVF preparation and participation.”
Major IVF provider Queensland Fertility Group’s managing director, Melanie Sibson, said starting a family is a “deeply personal journey” and can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.
Opposition Offers $20 Million Program to Help Women Return to Work
Meanwhile, the Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) opposition will offer a $20 million “returning to work” financial assistance package to help women return to the workforce.Grants of up to $5,000 will be offered for women for costs including workwear, childcare, technology, and relocation if the party wins the election.
LNP leader David Crisafulli said women should not be locked out of a job because they can’t afford the costs of job-seeking.
