Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor governments have the ability to transform people's lives for the better. I'm so proud to be standing here with the Minister for Early Childhood Education and to be talking about this bill, the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2023-2024.

We are a party that knows what women want. This is one of the reasons why the Albanese Labor government is investing in child care. This year, child care will get cheaper for close to 1.2 million families across Australia through the childcare subsidy. This policy is great for parents, great for bubs and great for the economy. I'm proud that approximately 7,200 families in my electorate of Swan who are using the childcare scheme will benefit from this increased childcare subsidy. This is an issue that's close to my heart. It's something that was brought up many times when I was doorknocking with constituents during my campaign, and my own family is typical of other families in Swan.

Many people felt let down by the Morrison government. There was a comment about cabinet ministers not being here; at least I know who my cabinet ministers are. Many people felt let down by the Morrison government and that childcare costs exploded under their watch. Those opposite frequently cite the cost of living. However, during the former government, when inflation averaged just two per cent per year, childcare fees increased by an astounding 49 per cent. This was a huge cost to young families. This was pure mismanagement of the sector. In contrast, the Albanese Labor government is proposing changes to early childhood education which will save a family on combined income of about $120,000, about $1,700 in the first year of this plan alone.

This bill also aims to develop skills and increase the availability of qualified professionals in the field of early childhood education and care. What I was hearing from the other side is that it's not worth trying to train these educators. I think that they're worth it. They are investing in my child's future. It means that I can do my job. They are worth it. By investing in this crucial area, we will support growth of a highly skilled workforce—and the higher the skills, the better the quality—through greater access to training and professional development. This is something that happens in all childcare centres, but this is something that we can improve on. This initiative will make it more convenient for educators to advance their careers and improve the overall quality.

It will help retain our early childhood educators in the sector, too. Currently, this is an industry with very demanding work, and the truth is there is high staff turnover. When you look at high-performing teams, two things are ongoing feedback, but it's also training. You need to invest in training to have great-performing teams. We need to retain our educators. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving the high standards of early childhood education by investing in this workforce and offering workers in the sector clear training pathways to grow and progress their careers.

Also, a large reason for the gender pay gap is a disparity in hours—the different hours worked between men and women. It's typically women who make the decision to leave their jobs or reduce their work hours, forgoing income, superannuation and career experience. This is an opportunity cost that deprives our nation of talent. It means that women are retiring with less superannuation. It means that women are, on average, earning less than their male counterparts in the same careers. It also adds to the unpaid care work that is disproportionately taken on by women.

The cost of child care drives many parents, typically mothers, away from the workforce. At the moment, approximately 60 per cent of mothers with young children work part-time hours. Some of this does relate to mums wanting to spend time with young children, but another part of this is cost. Cost is absolutely a barrier, particularly when deciding on how many days to return to work. Imagine what happens when you remove those barriers!

The Albanese Labor government is proud to be supportive of Australian women and help get them back in the workplace. I personally know how important this sector is. I could not do my job as an MP and as a mother without the amazing assistance of childcare educators—that includes in this place and also in the electorate of Swan. This is an investment into the future, and I commend the bill.

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