Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today, as part of Raise Our Voice's Youth Voice in Parliament Week, I'm really proud to amplify the voice of Meabh Hennessey, a nine-year-old constituent of Kooyong. Meabh says:

I want all those people working in essential jobs like midwives, teachers and social workers to be paid properly for the hard work that they do.

My teachers work long hours and on weekends. My mother is paid very badly to do such important work delivering babies. Most midwives, teachers and social workers have families to attend to, so it's harder for them to juggle not great pay, longer hours like 7-5 and families.

I want Parliament to recognise these people and the hard work they do to make our lives better.

I agree with you, Meabh. People who care for and educate other people do deserve better pay. Recently the Fair Work Commission accepted that workers in the caring professions are undervalued. That's likely because they are largely women. This contributes significantly to the gender pay gap. I will take every opportunity as your representative for Kooyong to work for legislative solutions to improve the pay and conditions for your mum, for your teachers and for all those in caring, essential jobs. Thanks for your words, Meabh, and thanks for sharing them with the 47th Parliament of Australia.