Call to support professional pay motion launched

A motion requesting that the first week of September was Early Learning Matters Week and that the Senate support a well resourced and accessible early childhood education system with professional pay was agreed to at yesterday’s sitting of the Senate. 

The motion was brought by Green Party Senator for New South Wales Mehreen Faruqi. 

A motion, which is a standardised type of submission to the senate that usually is the precursor to a formal decision being made on the issue or matter that the motion refers to. 

In this instance, Senator Faruqi was seeking to elevate awareness and ultimately receive endorsement from the Senate of the importance of Early Learning Matters Week, the value of early learning to children, families and society and the need for a well resourced and accessible early childhood education system with educators receiving professional pay.

In response to Senator Faruqi’s motion Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam highlighted the Morrison Government’s commitment to early learning after which the motion was passed by the senate. 

Although, no direct legislative action will come to bear from the passing of this motion it is another example of how active advocacy is continuing to raise the profile of the value of early learning and need for pay equity in not just the communities of Australia but in Australian Parliament as well.