A new federal law to support grieving parents, thanks to 32,000 signatures: Baby Priya's legacy
After a difficult pregnancy, Priya's Mum gave birth to her daughter prematurely at 24 weeks and 6 days. Priya's parents called her their "fighter girl" because she was vibrant and brave, but six weeks after birth, she passed away.
“"To the nearly 33,000 supporters of baby Priya's petition, thank you. This bill could not have existed without you. I am ever so grateful to you and you're a part of Priya's legacy. "”
Priya's Mum, petition starterPriya's parents were devastated, and then, grief turned to shock when Priya's Mum was told that her maternity leave was cancelled. It made her feel like her baby didn't matter - like she was never a mother at all. She was even more dismayed when she found out that it is legal in Australia to cancel maternity leave in cases of infant death or stillbirth. Or, it used to be.
Priya's parents wanted to change this law and introduce protections for grieving families, but how could they? They were just two people.
Priya's Mum couldn't do it alone, but over 32,000 Change.org users rallied behind her.
By signing her petition on Change.org, they helped Priya's Mum tell her story in the media. They helped her connect with parents around the country who had been through the same thing. They helped her gain election promises from the Labor, Liberal and Greens parties that they would address this issue if they were elected.
And then, those 32,000 signatures made sure the Government made good on that promise.
After meetings between Priya's parents, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Baby Priya's Bill was introduced to Parliement and then passed through the federal Senate, amending the Fair Work Act to ensure no parent has to fear being forced back to work during their darkest moment - losing a child.
By taking five minutes to sign a Change.org petition, those 32,000 people made a monumental difference to the 3,000 Australian families who lose a child to infant death or stillbirth each year.
Check out the petition to see how it became so successful.