Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today United Workers Union early education members are taking action to highlight how critical it is that more support be given to ensuring the sector can attract more educators and retain the ones it has; that there's rightful recognition of early education for what it is—education, not child minding; and that children are placed above profit.

With 75 per cent of workers in this highly skilled, feminised industry considering leaving, it is vital to act. That is why the Albanese government is making changes to cut the gender pay gap, making changes to the Fair Work Act and bringing forward fee-free TAFE places.

My door is always open to stories from educators and stories from families, and I look forward to continuing to work together to find better ways to support educators and to recognise how vital the sector is and the importance of the work they do every single day.