Govt to back Green Party proposal for domestic violence leave at first hurdle

Green MP Jan Logie. Photograph by Mark Mitchell

The Government says it will back a Green Party proposal to give domestic violence victims extra leave from work.

In a reversal of its previous position, National said it would support the bill in the name of Green MP Jan Logie at its first reading tomorrow.

Justice Minister Amy Adams said the bill "needed work", and did not commit to supporting it into law. But she said it was an issue worth discussing.

If passed into law, the bill would allow victims of abuse to get up to 10 extra days' leave a year and would classify family violence as a workplace hazard.

Prime Minister Bill English has previously said Government was against the proposal, because employers could already offer the specialised leave.

Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse also spoke against the bill, saying it could be costly for employers.

Logie welcomed the change of position, saying it was "fantastic news".

The bill would have passed without National's support, because Labour, New Zealand First, the Maori Party and Act had already committed to voting for it.