Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's as simple as this: Labor governments deliver for the women of this country. We're seeing that yet again in this place as this government continues the Labor legacy of delivering better working conditions and better pay for everyday Aussies. That comes in the form of a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators, putting more money in the pockets of workers in a sector that heavily relies on the tireless efforts of women across the country, because those workers deserve it. Those women build our nation's future every single day they walk into the centres at Hillbank, Evanston Park, Paralowie and beyond, both in my electorate and across the country. They told us that this pay rise needed to come—and it was delivered, under this Labor government.

Many of those workers will continue to earn more from Labor reforms too, because members on this side of the House are adding super to paid parental leave—building on a key reform under Labor in the past, for the good of working people both now and in the future, and helping level the playing field for women across the country. Despite the efforts of the opposition, Labor governments will never stop addressing gender inequality. Labor governments will never stop improving working conditions. Labor governments will never stop helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn.