"Insensitive" Australian gov't should support paid 'domestic violence leave': opposition

Australia's federal opposition has on Monday slammed the government as being "insensitive" over its approach to introducing paid 'domestic violence leave' in workplaces.

At the weekend, federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the government was not "attracted to" implementing a domestic violence leave scheme as it would become "just another cost on (the Australian) economy".

On Monday, the Labor opposition's employment spokesperson Brendan O'Connor said Cormann was being "callous and insensitive" about the issue, and argued there was "no need to wait" to offer additional support to victims of domestic violence.

He said that Labor was advocating for five days' family violence leave to be mandated in the Fair Work Act for minimum entitlements for workers.

Before Cormann's comments, the government had kept a neutral position on the issue; last week Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was waiting on advice from the Fair Work Commission before his government makes any decision.

"We certainly encourage and welcome companies to make provisions for (paid domestic violence leave) their employees," Turnbull said last week.

"The matter is currently before the Fair Work Commission, so our position is to let that hearing proceed and then we'll reconsider the position."

But O'Connor said the government should put aside politics and implement the scheme immediately.

"The Prime Minister's words really do not provide any solace to those who believe there should be greater levels of support in our society for victims of domestic violence, including in our workplaces," O'Connor said. Endit