Baby Priya's Bill

Today Abigail passed a motion in Parliament commending Baby Priya’s parents for their courageous advocacy following the tragic loss of their daughter, which led to the Federal Government introducing the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) Bill 2025 to close a legal loophole denying paid parental leave after infant loss and to secure fairer entitlements for future working parents.

Abigail said:

I move:

(1) That this House notes that:

  • on Thursday 9 October 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025 to Federal Parliament, which is named in honour of Baby Priya, who tragically passed away at just six weeks;
  • following Baby Priya's passing, Priya's mother was faced with negotiating with her employer of 11 years, who cancelled her maternity leave and refused to grant paid parental leave for the six weeks during which Priya was alive;
  • Priya's parents embarked on a public advocacy campaign to close a legal loophole in the Fair Work Act 2009 which currently fails to legally require employers to provide paid parental leave in the event of infant death or stillbirth, determined to ensure that future parents working in the private sector do not have to go through the same trauma;
  • after receiving support from tens of thousands of Australians, unions, advocacy organisations and political parties including the Australian Greens, the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition, Priya's parents have become the catalyst for this reform which will finally bring employer-funded parental leave entitlements in line with government paid parental leave; and
  • Priya's mother said at a press conference after Baby Priya's bill was introduced, "My heart aches with sadness, because more than anything I wish my daughter Priya was here with me. At the same time, I feel such immense pride and joy knowing that she's creating meaningful change for future working parents in Australia."

(2) That this House recognises and commends Priya's parents for their courageous advocacy in Priya's legacy, which has driven an important reform and shone light on the ongoing barriers working women face in relation to securing and accessing fair and equitable entitlements.

Motion agreed to.

Read the transcript in Hansard here.

 

15 October 2025

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