Three Billboards Have Been Set Up To Target The Minister For Women On International Women’s Day
Three Billboards Outside Malvern, Victoria.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has erected billboards outside the office of the Minister for Women, Kelly O’Dwyer, calling on the federal government to support paid domestic violence leave.
The billboards, which are an homage to the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri starring Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell (who both picked up Oscars this week), read: “Women Are Being Killed”, “Paid Domestic Violence Leave Can Save Lives” and “Why No Action, Kelly O’Dwyer?”.
The campaign was timed to take place on International Women’s Day, and it coincides with a debate taking place within the International Labor Organisation around the establishment of a legally binding convention to deal with gendered violence and harassment in the workplace.
The ACTU wants the federal government government to support such a convention, and they’re hoping the billboards will help draw attention to the issue.
“Malcolm Turnbull talks a big game on violence against women but he doesn’t back his talk up,” ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said today. “Freedom to work and live without fear of violence is a basic right that everyone should enjoy.
“We need stronger action from the Turnbull government and the Minister for Women,Kelly O’Dwyer. We need paid domestic violence leave. We need to be safe at work and at home around the world. We are not being quiet and we are not going away.”
Domestic violence leave is not currently part of the National Employment Standards, though some unions have struck deals with employers to make it available for workers. Labor leader Bill Shorten has promised to include it in legislation if he wins the next federal election.
The Coalition does not currently support changing the national Employment Standards to include domestic violence leave.