Susan Lamb (Longman, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to proudly stand with the early childhood educators right across Australia in opposition to the Turnbull government's mistreatment of the sector and undervaluing of early childhood educators. Ninety per cent of a child's brain development occurs between birth and five years of age, and it's the early childhood educators who shape and guide these minds for the future. But the reality is that the 153,000 educators across Australia who provide that care and education for over one million families are severely undervalued, underpaid and underappreciated. Despite having studied between 18 months and four years, early childhood educators earn some of the lowest wages in the country, a third less than their counterparts in schools, and this just isn't good enough.

So tomorrow, when thousands of educators walk off the job, I'll be supporting them. I'll be standing beside them calling for change, for a government to come up with a solution to the issue of professional wages. I'll be standing side by side with those early childhood educators, because we value our children and we value their educators. For all of those people walking off the job tomorrow in Burpengary and other parts of Australia, I want you to know that you are valued. You are appreciated. I say to educators: together, with a united voice, nothing can stop you achieving the recognition and reward you deserve for your profession.