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

That's the insinuation I've heard from your colleagues, Senator Cash, and I've just heard it from Senator Babet. They are jobs in aged care. They are jobs in early education and care. They are jobs in disability services. They are non-market jobs, and I think we should have an honest discussion about the fact that we need those jobs. They are good jobs. They probably haven't been paid enough in the past, and we are trying to address that through the work of ministers and my colleagues on this side of the chamber. We've supported wage increases for aged-care workers, and we're seeing increases for early childhood educators as well. We, on this side, do not dismiss non-market jobs. They are good jobs. The services sector is an important part of our economy, and we need to make sure that we are investing in it so that, when you, Senator Babet, are 75 or 80 or 85 or 90, you will get the care that you deserve. That is what we are trying to do in that part of the economy. In relation to the other parts of your question, the answer is no.