Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education. Why is it important to invest in the early childhood education and care workforce? What has been the response to the Albanese government's investment in this sector?

Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the fantastic member for Hawke for his question. I want to acknowledge his commitment and his advocacy for early childhood education and care workers in his electorate. On this side of the chamber, we recognise the transformative benefits of early childhood education during that crucial period of a child's first five years of life, when 90 per cent of brain development occurs. Our skilled early childhood educators and teachers support that development. They support children's development through play based learning and in those important years before school. We've just wrapped up Early Learning Matters Week, which showcased play based learning and the importance that that has in the formation of child development.

However, we also know that for too long this work has been undervalued. That's why our historic announcement of a 15 per cent pay rise across the early childhood education sector is incredibly important. This pay rise means that by the end of this year early childhood educators—around 200,000 of them right across Australia—will get at least an extra $100 in their pay packets. By the end of next year, that will be at least $150. Sam Page, my dear friend and the CEO of Early Learning Australia, said:

This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the early childhood education and care sector, underscoring the importance of investing in the workforce that supports the growth, learning and development of Australia's children.

While those opposite might not understand this, parents, grandparents and caregivers do. They know what these workers do for their children. They see their children flourish in early childhood education. In response to our announcement, Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow, the CEO of the Front Project, had this to say:

Parents and caregivers understand that better pay is not only fair but also crucial for attracting and retaining quality educators who are committed to the long-term development of their children.

I want to finish with the words of Sunitha. She's an early childhood educator, and she says:

… we were having all educators leaving in the past few years because the pay is so low and now they will be coming back. Already they have been contacting me and saying that we are coming back—that's a great win.

Sunitha is right. This is a great win. It's a win for workers, it's a win for children, it's a win for our economy and it's a win for our country.