The WA Government has introduced 10 days of paid domestic violence leave for the state’s 40,000 public servants.

While it continues to push for belt-tightening to rein in the state’s record debt levels, the McGowan Government has brought the state into line with most other state governments, which offer specific leave for victims of domestic violence. 

Victoria and the ACT allow 20 days of family violence leave a year, while South Australia ­offers 15 days, Queensland 10 days and NSW five days.

WA’s new Prevention of ­Family and Domestic Violence Minister, Simone McGurk, called on the private sector to follow suit.

“We know women and children in our communities bear the brunt and the cost of family and domestic violence,” she said.

“We hope other West Australian employers also consider the impact of family and domestic ­violence on their workforce, and think about what they can do to support the safety of victims as well as the productivity of their business.”

Domestic violence leave is now included in over 1000 enterprise agreements, but the ACTU is still fighting for 10 days’ paid domestic violence leave at the federal level.

The Community and Public Sector Union welcomed the move.