For Zoe Kapolos, the reality of endometriosis isn't just a personal battle, it's a recurring scene played out on the hospital ward where she works. 

The 21-year-old graduate nurse from Melbourne has spent years navigating the debilitating pain of the condition, but it was the sight of her own patients prioritising paperwork over their recovery that finally pushed her to act.

Last week, a federal parliamentary petition launched by Kapolos officially closed after garnering a massive 28,400 signatures. 

The petition calls for the Australian Government to introduce dedicated leave for employees suffering from endometriosis and adenomyosis, sparking a national conversation about whether our workplace laws are meeting the needs of women with these health conditions.

Around 1 in 7 women are affected by endometriosis, a chronic condition that causes tissue to grow outside of the uterus. It can lead to severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. 

As a new nurse working on a gynaecology ward, Kapolos witnesses the intersection of chronic illness and employment anxiety every shift.

"A part of the reason why I started the petition was that I've seen so many patients who are almost fixated on making sure they have medical certificates," Kapolos said.

That fixation, borne out of a pressure to meet the unrelenting demands of their jobs, often came at a cost to their health, she said. 

She noted that patients often seemed more worried about providing documentation for their employers than they are about the clinical information they need to manage their recovery at home.

Kapolos understands that anxiety better than most. 

Her own journey began at age 13, followed by seven frustrating years of being told by doctors that "something was wrong" but they simply couldn't figure out what. 

It was not until Kapolos was 18 that she finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis. This was followed by laparoscopic surgery in 2023. 

While the surgery provided significant relief, she still faces days where she is unwell – a reality that led her to found The Ovary Office, an organisation dedicated to improving menstrual health literacy and education.

The push for menstrual and reproductive leave is gaining momentum in Australia, though it remains a patchwork of policies. 

In September 2024, Queensland public servants were granted 10 days of reproductive leave, covering everything from endometriosis and PCOS to IVF and vasectomies. 

Victoria and New South Wales also offer similar, albeit more modest, provisions for their public sectors, with 5 days of paid reproductive health leave and 5 days of paid fertility treatment leave, respectively.

Private companies have also led the way, with brands like Modibodi offering 10 days of paid leave for menstruation or menopause, while others such as Future Super, HESTA, and Mission Australia have integrated various forms of reproductive health leave into their contracts. Nine Entertainment Co, the publisher of this website, does not currently offer menstrual or reproductive leave.

Australian Unions have been calling for the Albanese Government to introduce ten days of paid reproductive health leave for all Australian workers. 

Last month, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) submitted a proposal into the National Employment Standards, calling for dedicated reproductive health leave.

This proposal would allow workers, regardless of gender, to access to up to ten days of paid leave to manage any reproductive health issue including, endometriosis pain, IVF and fertility treatment, miscarriage, vasectomy recovery, and prostate cancer screening.

Overseas, several countries, including Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Zambia, and Vietnam have policies allowing employees time off due to painful periods.

However, the idea has its critics. Last month, India's top court rejected a petition seeking menstrual leave, with the judges saying such a law would mean "no-one will hire women". 

It's an argument against menstrual leave that Kapolos has often seen put forward on social media.

However, she believes Australia is ready for legislative change, noting that the nation is already a world leader in other reproductive health areas, such as cervical screening.

While Kapolos' petition is directed towards people with endometriosis and adenomyosis, she said she also supports the ACTU's broader propsoal, acknowledging applying the policy to all workers could help avoid discrimination from employers.

Ina statement, a federal government spokesperson told nine.com.au the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations was monitoring the reproductive leave in enterprise bargaining and its impacts on the workforce, emerging research and evidence and international examples.

"The government recognises that reproductive health issues can impact women's health, wellbeing and economic security, the spokesperson said.

"Our Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms, strengthened the right to request flexible working arrangements which can help workers navigate reproductive health issues in the workplace."

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An Australian-born backbench UK Labour MP has thrown a political hand grenade into the debate over the future of the country's besieged prime minister.

Following crushing local election defeats last week, Keir Starmer is facing a renewed threat to his leadership.

As the final results came in Saturday, Labour suffered a net loss of more than 1100 local council seats across England, and lost control of several local authorities.

Anti-immigration party Reform UK gained more than 1300 seats across England and made significant gains in legislative elections in Wales and Scotland.

READ MORE: Major crisis facing Liberals after 'good old-fashioned flogging' at Farrer by-election by One Nation

Starmer insisted he would not quit 10 Downing Street, but just hours later, former minister Catherine West, who was born in Victoria, announced she wanted a cabinet minister to challenge Starmer by Monday, or she would put herself forward in a leadership tilt.

For this to happen, 20 per cent of Labour MPs – 81 people – would have to back her.

West told the BBC she currently had 10 MPs behind her, but expected support to grow.

"My preferred option is for the cabinet to do a reshuffle within itself, where there's plenty of talent, and for Keir to be given a different role, which he might enjoy, perhaps an international role," she said.

"Then for others to come to the fore who can communicate the message, who are very able, so we can have minimum fuss."

READ MORE: Expect federal budget to be as significant as 'banana republic' warning

The goal of West is not to become UK prime minister but to become a political 'stalking horse' and affect change at the top of the country's Labour Party.

Her threat may force a leadership shot by Health Minister Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who are regarded as the strongest challengers.

West moved to the UK in 1998 before being elected a Labour MP or Hornsey in north London in 2015 (unlike Australia dual citizens can become British MPs).

She was a junior foreign office minister from 2024 to 2025 with responsibility for the Indo Pacific region.

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Tuesday's federal budget is shaping to become a major shake-up for the Australian economy, with major reforms in housing a wealth driver for millions of people.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Nine Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher on Weekend Today this morning the "status quo is not working" in the housing market, and flagged changes in the capital gains tax and negative gearing this week.

Croucher put it to the treasurer that the upcoming budget comes 40 years after then treasurer Paul Keating warned that Australia was at risk of becoming a "banana republic" due to a massive collapse in export prices and spiralling foreign debt.

READ MORE: Major crisis facing Liberals after 'good old-fashioned flogging' at Farrer by-election by One Nation

"We're now looking at a trillion dollars' worth of debt some time later this year … that speech was a line in the sand it shook the way Australians think," Croucher said.

Chalmers answered by saying there would be "more than the usual amount of change".

"There's more than the usual amount of change .. and more than the usual amount of anxiety about how our economy is playing out."

Hinting at capital gains tax changes, the treasurer also said while housing supply has to be the "main game" for fixing the housing crisis it should not end there

"Even though the problem in the housing market begins with supply, it doesn't end there. … the status quo and the tax system and the housing market is unfair … there are too may people locked out and not enough homes," Chalmers said.

READ MORE: Negative gearing set to undergo first change in nearly 40 years. Here's what you need to know

Negative gearing is when an investor has expenses associated with a property, like interest on mortgage repayments, that are greater than the profit it makes. Investors are then able to deduct many of those expenses from their taxable income, meaning they pay less during tax time.

Chalmers also announced today the budget will include an extra $2 billion over four years for infrastructure spending on roads, water, power and sewerage, that will help build up to 65,000 new homes.

The money will be given to councils and state utility providers, with $500m of the funds earmarked for regional and country areas.

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