Baby Priya's Petition - Don't cancel parental leave for infant death or stillbirth

Today in Parliament, Abigail spoke about the incredible advocacy of the parents of baby Priya, fighting to close a legislative loophole allowing employers to cancel parental leave in the event of infant death or stillbirth.

Abigail moved:

(1) That this House notes that:

(a) baby Priya was born prematurely at 24 weeks and 6 days in 2024, and tragically passed away six weeks after birth due to a condition unrelated to her prematurity, 

(b) when Priya’s mother informed her employer of Priya’s passing, the employer promptly cancelled her maternity leave, giving her just one month of personal leave, 

(c) Priya’s parents have now launched a petition calling for this legal loophole in the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009 to be closed, so that future parents do not have to go through the same trauma, 

(d) in the first month of being launched, the petition received over 25,000 signatures and has been supported and shared by the Australian Service Union and Bears of Hope, 

(e) throughout April 2025, Priya’s parents received commitments to support this important change from the Australian Greens, the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition, and

(f) the advocacy of Priya’s parents has shined a light on the significant challenges and barriers faced by working women when it comes to securing fair and equitable parental leave entitlements, and the urgent need to strengthen and bolster these important entitlements. 

(2) That this House expresses its deepest condolences to Priya’s parents and commends their advocacy in Priya’s legacy. 

(3) That this House calls on the Australian Government to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to make it illegal for employers to cancel paid parental leave in the event of infant death or stillbirth.

 

Sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/baby-priya-s-petition-don-t-cancel-maternity-leave-for-infant-death-or-stillbirth

Join 51,393 other supporters in taking action