Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis, and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison, have demanded the NSW Government reverse its disgraceful decision to renege on an agreement to provide additional domestic violence leave to rail and transport workers. 

“It is abhorrent the Employee Relations Minister Mr Tudehope has now decided to backflip on his Government’s commitment to provide critical domestic violence leave – simply to help win his campaign against rail unions and workers,” said Ms Cotsis.

“Getting help and support for domestic violence victims is hard enough without the NSW Government making it harder” said Ms Harrison

“This decision to revoke an agreement that would provide 20 days family and violence leave to rail workers will put lives at risk. If the Premier Dominic Perrottet is genuine about protecting the safety of women across NSW, he must intervene now and honour this agreement to protect vulnerable workers.”

Ms Cotsis and Ms Harrison said the Premier needed to focus on what is most important and reign in his Ministers immediately. 

“Apart from showing a total disregard for the safety of domestic violence victims, Mr Tudehope’s decision to tear up an agreement already made with combined unions shows a total unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. This Government has a hide accusing workers and unions of industrial bastardry,” said Ms Cotsis.

“Access to this kind of leave is essential. If Government has a plan for the whole of the public service to access crucial domestic violence leave then let’s see the Premier out today explaining it – rather than letting his Ministers use it as a bargaining chip.”

SOPHIE COTSIS MP 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 

JODIE HARRISON MP 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT