Bill Shorten speaks out about wage boost, calling toddlers ‘tiny tornadoes’

Freya Lucas

Aug 13, 2024

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Federal Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme of Australia, the Hon. Bill Shorten has spoken out about the recently announced wage increase for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, describing toddlers as ‘tiny tornadoes’ and calling the wage rise “a win for workers, a win for families.”

“Anybody who has had a newly-walking one year old in their house can attest to the fact they can cause a lot of damage. Not to mention anxiety for the family pets,” Mr Shorten said.

“What parent hasn’t happily handed over their child to a grandparent or friend to look after so they can get on with the five million other tasks they have to complete? And when it comes to working families, who hasn’t been grateful to secure a spot at the local daycare (sic.) centre?”

“But whereas some care of children is babysitting – making sure they’re fed and get to bed while mum and dad have a date night – childcare, or more accurately early childhood education, is not babysitting,” he continued.

“Early education is so important in that critical first five years of a child’s brain development, yet, there are worker shortages in this critical industry (sic.) because the pay has not been good enough to attract the skilled professionals needed.”

Mr Shorten went on to quote an early childhood educator, Karen Moran, who said the pay rise has the potential to change people’s lives, noting that some educators are working two and three jobs just to make ends or have been relying on Foodbank to feed their own families.

“That is just not right,” Mr Shorten said.

“These are highly skilled professionals whom we entrust with our children’s wellbeing. They deserve better and this government is making sure they get the recognition they warrant through this decision.”

Learn more about the wage increase announcement here.

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