We thank Abigail Boyd MP from the Greens, who today moved a motion in NSW state parliament acknowledging Priya's story and the issue of paid parental leave in the event of stillbirth or early infant death - video of which can be seen here (the full motion is below)

Now that the federal election is over, Priya's Mum wrote to Minister Murray Watt the very next day, to make sure that legislative changes over parental leave for stillbirth and early infant death are a priority, so that no other parent need be affected.

Minister Watt's staff wrote back saying  "I can confirm that the Department is aware of the election commitment and has begun work on preparing the materials that will be necessary to amend the Fair Work Act". Additionally, they told us that the legislation may take some time because of the standard process for its preparation, and that the timing when ready will be determined by the Prime Minister.

We will let you all know as soon as they give us a date, or a better idea of the timeframe.

We had also requested to meet the Minister to hand over the petition, and we have been told this could be a possibility when he is next in Sydney.

It is Priya's Mum's first Mother's Day, and without Priya, and she is uncertain how she will cope, but she is determined that she wants to celebrate, because Priya made her a mother! She is going to accept the wishes, she is going to accept the flowers, she is going to accept the gifts, because she is Priya's Mum!

We want to wish a happy Mother's Day to all mothers, and particularly to all mothers who have lost their babies or children and are carrying them in their hearts. ❤️

Thanking you wholeheartedly
Priya's Mum and Priya's Dad

Abigail Boyd's motion:

Ms Boyd says—

Mr PRESIDENT:

I give notice that on the next sitting day I will move:

(1) That this House notes that:

(a) baby Priya was born prematurely at 24 weeks and 6 days in 2024, and tragically passed away six weeks after birth due to a condition unrelated to her prematurity,

(b) when Priya’s mother informed her employer of Priya’s passing, the employer promptly cancelled her maternity leave, giving her just one month of personal leave,

(c) Priya’s parents have now launched a petition calling for this legal loophole in the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009 to be closed, so that future parents do not have to go through the same trauma,

(d) in the first month of being launched, the petition received over 25,000 signatures and has been supported and shared by the Australian Service Union and Bears of Hope,

(e) throughout April 2025, Priya’s parents received commitments to support this important change from the Australian Greens, the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition, and

(f) the advocacy of Priya’s parents has shined a light on the significant challenges and barriers faced by working women when it comes to securing fair and equitable parental leave entitlements, and the urgent need to strengthen and bolster these important entitlements.

(2) That this House expresses its deepest condolences to Priya’s parents and commends their advocacy in Priya’s legacy

(3) That this House calls on the Australian Government to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to make it illegal for employers to cancel paid parental leave in the event of infant death or stillbirth