Major Australian University to Offer Aboriginal Staff ‘Colonial Load’ Leave

Aboriginal staff at Victoria’s Monash University will be able to take an extra three days’ leave every year to deal with the effects of colonisation, according to the institution.

The Melbourne university introduced the new leave entitlement in November to recognise the contributions of Indigenous staff.

Indigenous employees are already offered five days’ paid leave and 10 days of unpaid ceremonial leave for Aboriginal cultural activities, but participants will not need to give a reason for the additional three days’ leave.

Monash University Indigenous Vice-Chancellor Professor Tristan Kennedy said the decision was made in part to support the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is a “truth-telling” and justice process established in Victoria to investigate historic and ongoing injustices against Aboriginals as a result of colonisation.

Recommendation 67 from the Yoorrook Justice Commission states “Victorian universities must recognise and recompense First Peoples staff for the ‘colonial load’ they carry.”

The initiative is also in line with Universities Australia’s Indigenous Strategy, which calls on universities to formally recognise the colonial load experienced by Indigenous staff and students and to implement appropriate adjustments through relevant HR policies and practices.

“Monash is committed to supporting and contributing to treaty discussions in Victoria and the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission,” Kennedy told The Epoch Times.

“We’ve established a Yoorrook Taskforce to be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering to oversee the Commission’s work and track the recommendations made.

“We are standing up to support systemic truth-telling, a necessary step on the path towards justice and reconciliation.”

Kennedy said the “colonial load leave” had been a direct recommendation of the commission and that it would acknowledge the additional responsibilities and pressures carried by Indigenous staff in the workplace.

“This is a crucial step for recognising and supporting the Yoorook Justice Commission’s work and that of Indigenous staff whose work significantly benefits the institution,” he said.

“We believe that colonial load leave provides a step forward in acknowledging systematic truth-telling in the workplace, and will enhance cultural awareness, strengthen community engagement, and support the promotion and preservation of cultural knowledge.

“At Monash University, we welcome and encourage courageous conversations that strive for a brighter future for First Nations peoples, communities, and cultures in Victoria, Australia, and globally.”

Kennedy said the university took the responsibility seriously to facilitate research, informed dialogue, and education around the “truth-telling” process in Victoria.

“We are committed to being a site for rigorous and robust discussions about the Commission’s work, and the expanded responsibilities proposed,” he said.

Universities Offering Cultural Leave

Monash is not the only university that offers Indigenous employees cultural leave.

RMIT University provides 10 days’ paid cultural leave, while the Queensland University of Technology and Western Sydney University each provide up to five days a year.

The Australian National University offers 10 days of paid cultural leave, while the University of Southern Queensland provides 10 days of paid leave.

The University of Notre Dame provides five days, while the Australian Catholic University offers up to 10 days per year and the University of Western Australia seven days.