Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:37): (2204) My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Minister for Industrial Relations, and the action I seek is for the minister to outline how the government will use the findings of the recent consultation to strengthen and protect the right to work from home in Victoria. The consultation results show overwhelming support for flexible work. More than 74 per cent of the 25,724 employees surveyed said working from home is extremely important to them, yet over 3200 people did not feel they could even ask their employer for it. Of those who requested it and were refused, nearly all felt that the decision was unreasonable and that it created further challenges at work. Workers were clear about the benefits: saving time, with more than 13,300 respondents commuting over an hour each way to work; saving money, with over 9200 people spending between $25 and $49 a week on travel; and being able to focus without workplace distractions. More than 28,700 participants also reported higher productivity levels when they were working from home. Two days a week was the most common and preferred arrangement. The consultation generated strong engagement, including more than 700 in-language responses and 295 formal submissions. Employers who participated highlighted employee satisfaction, access to a wider talent pool and higher productivity as key advantages. These findings make it clear that working from home is now an essential part of modern work. I therefore ask the minister to outline how the government will ensure that reasonable access to working from home is preserved and supported into the future.