Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. We are delivering that pay rise, and we have had to take this approach because, unfortunately, not everyone has always backed this vital workforce. When we announced our historic 15 per cent pay rise, those opposite dismissed it as 'a sugar hit'. Senator Canavan even called it a handout. On this side of the chamber we know that our early childhood educators earnt this pay rise. Families know that educators earnt this pay rise. But those opposite don't believe that early childhood educators deserve a cent more. Those opposite left educators stranded, and they left services stranded. That is their legacy, on that side of the chamber. Educators tell me that they finally feel valued.

You can jeer all you like, Senator Canavan and your colleagues—