The ACT government has called for 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave at a national level.
Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry will present a motion to the assembly on Thursday in support of the We Won't Wait campaign - with the support of Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury, leader of the ACT Greens.
This motion calls on the federal government to include 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave in the National Employment Standards.
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"We want to help to ensure that no matter where they are in Australia, victim-survivors have the resources and time to speak out, seek support, and build a life in safety," Minister Berry said.
So far, the Canberra Liberals have not signed their name to the motion.
"I invited the Canberra Liberals to put politics aside to make this joint call with tri-partisan support. However, this invitation was not accepted," she said.
This year, during 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence, minister Berry wrote to Minister for Industrial Relations Senator Michaelia Cash calling for 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave to be included in the National Employment Standards and 29 local unions and services sector representatives added their names in support of this letter.
"Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue that needs to be publicly acknowledged and addressed rather than kept hidden," Minister Berry said.
"People experiencing domestic and family violence must have access to support to escape to safety."
The federal Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens have both committed to introduce 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave for all workers through the National Employment Standards.
"This motion highlights our support for the We Won't Wait campaign which has been an ongoing call for action in this space from Australian unions." Minister Berry said.
In 2013, the ACT government introduced 20 days of paid leave for domestic and family violence purposes - as a formal entitlement in enterprise agreements.
