James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The government respects the work of early childhood educators. Educator wages are entirely a matter for the independent Fair Work Commission. Unions had their case heard and dismissed by the Fair Work Commission under laws written by the previous Labor government. Early learning and childcare centres should value their employees. Indeed, many already pay above the award. The role of government is to help families access affordable early education and care. That is why the coalition government is investing an extra $2.5 billion to deliver more support for more Australians, benefiting around one million families.