Opened the debate
McKim argued that the bill would provide a statutory right for employees to request remote work for up to two days weekly, expanding on existing flexible work provisions. McKim stated that this measure would benefit workers, particularly women and carers, by improving work-life balance and supporting economic participation. McKim claimed that the government lacked ambition in its industrial relations agenda and that the bill addressed a significant gap in worker protections. McKim emphasised that the proposal included safeguards for employers, allowing refusal only where inherent role requirements made remote work impractical.