Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

These important reforms will provide greater access to bargaining for workers in lower-paid and highly feminised sectors—workers like Jane, who has been an early childhood educator for 40 years. She works at East Brunswick Kindergarten and Childcare Centre. She is incredibly passionate about her job, but it's been a tough industry to dedicate her life and career to. There are constant struggles with staffing shortages due to low wages and conditions in the sector. Jane and her staff, along with workers in 70 other centres in Victoria, benefit from being part of a multi-employer agreement. They've won wages increases of 15 to 18 per cent above the award, and, just as important, they've won things like more time for planning and professional development, which delivers better quality care for the children they are providing care to.

The process is currently drowning in red tape, and it shouldn't be that hard. Directors in these centres are usually educators, not workplace relations or HR professionals. We are making it easier for people like Jane to get better pay.