Ms ROSOL – That’s okay. This question is around reproductive health issues; it’s another one that overlaps. Reproductive health issues like menstruation and menopause have physically and mentally debilitating effects on women, on trans men and gender‑diverse people, and it impacts their ability to participate in the workforce and for some it leads to an early retirement with serious financial impacts.
Experts have recommended paid reproductive leave of 12 days a year to help women, trans men and gender‑diverse people cope with the financial ramifications of those reproductive issues. Queensland has introduced it for their public servants. Will you commit to introducing paid reproductive leave, or advocating for that, on behalf of women?
Ms OGILVIE – I will turn to that question, but I think I’ve got that other information here, so we might just deal with that quickly if we can. I’ll read this and see if this helps. Since November 2020, the Tasmanian government has invested just over $4 million to strengthen recruitment, retention, advancement of women in sectors where women are traditionally underrepresented. This funding supported the employment of an industry liaison officer within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, whose role was to work with the industry to drive change and support the participation of women in sectors critical to Tasmania’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The role has concluded and this work is now embedded into the broader work program of the women and preventional family violence team within DPAC, and this team works closely with other agencies, including the Department of State Growth and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Tasmania to ensure that we can continue to work collaboratively with key industry bodies and support women’s employment in non-traditional roles. The work continues but the allocated role is not continuing. Back to your other question.
Ms ROSOL – That was around the paid reproductive leave. Is that something that you would be willing to advocate for on behalf of people who have reproductive health issues that impact on their ability to work?
Ms OGILVIE – I am happy to have a look at it, particularly the menopause space. We forgot the fans. We were going to bring some fans.
