Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] I rise to question why the Queensland Labor government puts so little value in early childhood education. The mark of a good government is how it treats people. The economy is important, as is defence and infrastructure, but it's the policies that affect people that matter most. In that regard, Queensland's government applies neither common sense nor reasonable judgement to its decisions, and its people who suffer because of it. After nearly two years the Queensland government continues to make decisions that are confusing and inconsistent, and, frankly, people have had enough. Here is a comment from a Queensland childcare provider: 'I'm all for vaccinations and possibly would consider mandates a solution but Labor's execution announced this morning is a shocker. How are we meant to staff our childcare centre with holiday leave already approved and some staff unable to work due to them refusing vaccination? Do I hand them a resignation for Christmas? Vacation care plans have been made for school-aged children that may not be able to be covered. All well and good for school based teachers—the school will be closed—but long day care services do not have that luxury. This short-notice decision reflects the value placed on early childhood education. I don't think for a minute Labor support us more than any other party, as they are often made to appear. No-one really thought this through. Happy holidays, Educators.'

Queenslanders have exchanged keeping us safe for dictatorship in extraordinary times. Labor has repaid this good faith with inconsistency, with incompetence and with policies which penalise individuals unnecessarily. People deserve better than Labor, much, much better.