16 News

Australian Greens Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May says Labor’s promise to increase early childhood education and care wages doesn’t go far enough.

Greens Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“Labor’s just signed off on annual childcare fee hikes that are higher than inflation. Pay increases for staff are crucial but they should come with universal free childcare.

“Labor’s announcement of a 15 percent pay rise for early childhood education workers is long overdue but doesn’t go far enough – Labor must commit to union calls for a 25 percent wage increase. 

“This is a workforce in crisis. For too long, educators have been underpaid and as a result are leaving the industry in droves. 

“Families across Australia are missing out on critical early education because of workforce shortages and childcare deserts. 

“If we want high quality universal early years education, we must invest in a sustainable workforce. That’s why the Greens want to ensure early childhood educators have well paid, secure jobs.

“Labor must commit to going that step further and paying our educators what they’ve been calling for and what they deserve, for doing the most important work imaginable – educating and caring for our kids.”

Reports that the contamination of landscaping products has not been resolved , despite the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) knowing about the issue, have triggered questions about why a crackdown on the industry has taken so long.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “This issue was identified in 2013 and 2019, and the EPA was investigating further non-compliance in 2023 and earlier this year – so why has it taken till August for action to be taken?”

“These recycled materials are being distributed to sensitive areas in the community, and are being sold directly to backyard gardeners from retail stores too. Considering how widespread this asbestos contaminated material is being spread, it’s hard to fathom why action hasn’t been taken sooner,”

“The decision to not disclose the facilities and companies that have failed to prevent contamination in their products is not in the public interest and means that Councils, retailers and members of the community cannot take steps to protect themselves from buying products that might still be dangerous,”

“I welcome the announcement of a firm regulatory response and the ordered disposal of 600 tonnes of potentially contaminated soil material is a positive step, but it has come too late and too slow for people and entities that use these materials in playgrounds, health facilities and in suburban back yards,”

“I will be calling for the release of documents associated with the facilities investigated by the EPA, and will be putting questions to the Government about how and why this information was not produced sooner. We need answers about why the regulatory crackdown has been delayed when this issue has been known about for over a decade,”

“The failure of this industry has massive consequences for our community and the environment. It is difficult to see how this issue has been allowed to carry on for so long, we will be getting to the bottom of this issue one way or another,” Ms Higginson said.

Despite overwhelming evidence of the harmful impact on marine life and birds, the NSW Labor Government has announced its opposition to the Greens’ bill aimed at banning helium balloon releases in NSW.

Greens MP Kobi Shetty, who introduced the bill, expressed deep disappointment at the government’s refusal to take action on this critical environmental issue.

Kobi Shetty MP, NSW Greens spokesperson on plastic, said:

“Scientists predict that by 2050, we will have more plastic in the ocean than fish. If we want to protect our living planet for future generations, we need to act now. There’s no time for pointless delays from a government dragging their feet on basic reforms.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Labor Government have announced their opposition to our bill while simultaneously acknowledging that balloons are among the most dangerous forms of plastic pollution for birds and marine animals.

“This contradiction highlights a sad disregard for our environment and the Australian animals that will continue to suffer due to these avoidable pollutants.

“This bill was an opportunity to prevent the tragic deaths of countless animals and ensure a safer future for our wildlife. By blocking this legislation, the government is failing to protect our environment and the creatures that depend on it.

“Our community expects action, they don’t want this problem to be left for the next generation to deal with. The government needs to get on with this simple change, not take another year to get this done. 

“Other states have already recognized the dangers and introduced bans on helium balloon releases. NSW is lagging behind, and Labor’s inaction only exacerbates the problem.

 “We need proactive measures to address plastic pollution, and this bill was a straightforward step in the right direction. Labor’s opposition will be very frustrating for our community who are desperate for governments to act quickly to get plastic pollution out of our oceans.”

Significant forest industry players are trying to undermine Victoria’s ban on native forest logging on public land by using deceptive language to continue destroying native forests for profit, the Greens say.

Greens Spokesperson for Forests Senator Nick McKim:

“Revelations made by the ABC regarding the Healthy Forests Foundation are extremely concerning.”

“We cannot allow rebadged industrial logging companies to just rebrand to skirt the law and continue their destructive practices.”

“Logging operators are notorious for rising from the ashes and resuming their destructive operations under new names or in new states.”

“These companies pose a serious threat to the progress we’ve made in protecting our forests.” 

“Forestry Minister Julie Collins needs to clarify whether $1.4million in grant money awarded to the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, or any other federal grants or subsidies, have been funneled to Healthy Forests.”

“Logging interests have for decades used public funds to subsidise operations which would otherwise be unviable, or used them for purposes different to those intended by government.”

Greens Spokesperson for First Nations Senator Dorinda Cox:

“I am concerned about the issues created by particular industries in relation to Blackwashing, the destruction of our country including native forests.”

“This is language I am particularly aware has been used in my home state of Western Australia.”

“We need to ensure that when we use terms like ‘First-Nations led’ and ‘Indigenous knowledges’ to describe practices, that they are in fact grounded in our ancient ways of knowing and being with the land as our mother and protecting her indigeneity through our leadership and stewardship.”

“I will continue to watch this development and speak to Traditional Owners from this area about the approach they are taking, to ensure that the agreements made actually offer and assert our sovereign rights as First Peoples.”

Struggling mortgage holders won’t be seeing rate relief any time soon as the Reserve Bank of Australia has said they are looking for ‘softer growth’ in Government spending before it could cut interest rates.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) told the Cost of Living Committee at its hearing in Sydney, that it had almost doubled its forecast of Government spending since Labor’s Budget, increasing from 2.1% to 4%, confirming that Government spending is driving inflation.

AMP economist Dr Shane Oliver told the Committee that wages had gone backwards by five per cent, and that the economy was at a risk of recession. He went on to tell the Committee that if Labor’s spending was lower, the RBA would be able to consider cutting rates.

Alan Oster, chief economist at NAB, told the Committee that sectors like manufacturing, hospitality, and retail were feeling the pinch of higher interest rates and lower consumer spending most acutely.

Both Dr Oliver and Mr Oster described Labor’s spending as “bad timing” and “unhelpful”.

Economics professor Richard Holden told the Committee that the Labor Government had delivered three very expansionary Budgets that were “putting upwards pressure on inflation.” He went on to say that the Government’s temporary measures that lowered headline inflation were a ‘trick’ and still added to demand.

Judo Bank economist Warren Hogan agreed, and said that the only way to get inflation under control was for the Government to get the policy settings right, including by getting more flexibility into the labour market.

The Business Council of Australia (BCA) highlighted the cost of doing business crisis that was also caused by higher inflation, noting record insolvencies experienced in Australia in recent months. Chief Economist Stephen Walters echoed the economists’ comments that a flexible industrial relations system was key to lowering costs and passing on savings to consumers.

Chair of the Committee, Senator the Hon Jane Hume said that the Albanese Government is ignoring the warnings of experts and running the Australian economy into the ground.

“Instead of showing restraint in their fiscal policy to be in line with the RBA, the Albanese Government has increased spending by $315 billion. That’s not what the RBA wants to see.

“The RBA has now pushed out any hope of a rate cut this year, and in fact they even considered lifting rates yesterday. That brings no comfort to Australian households who are struggling to cope with these higher for longer interest rates.

“Australians are poorer under Labor, and from the evidence we heard today, it’s clear that there is no end in sight to the financial pain households and businesses are facing right now.”

Coalition Senators Smith, Canavan and Kovacic called on the Albanese Government to act on the warnings from the RBA and the economists who gave evidence to the Committee today for the sake of all Australian households and businesses.

The Albanese Government have once again shown Australian families they care more about politics then tackling rising cost of living pressures and inflation.

Today’s announcement on child care wages is further proof that Labor is all about spin, not substance. It is abundantly clear that the Albanese Labor Government does not have a meaningful plan to restore the Australian way of life.

Labor has bypassed the independent Fair Work Commission process all at the behest of their union masters. Labor has traded away billions of dollars for a cap on child care fees that only lasts twelve months. This deal offers no real relief to Australian families who can’t afford child care or are struggling to find a child care place.

If child care fees grow at the 4.4 per cent cap over the next year, by the time of the election, out of pocket expenses will have increased by over 8 per cent under Labor – so much for cheaper child care. Families can plainly see that any benefits from Labor’s policies introduced in 2023 have been eroded ever since.

The Coalition wants to see higher real wages for all Australians, including hardworking childhood educators. But the key to meaningful wage increases is to bring down inflation and boost labour productivity.

The Prime Minister’s claims of up to $155 per week pay increase fails to take into account the ongoing cost of living crisis which will see around half of these nominal gains eroded by inflation. In December 2025, next year beyond the election, when this policy comes into full effect is when inflation is forecast by the RBA to once again jump up to 3.7 per cent – thanks to the Albanese Government.

The Treasurer has previously been caught out using nominal wages, not real wages, to claim Australian’s are better off. Labor does not learn – it continues to spin.

Working Australians have seen their living standards collapse under Labor because of soaring costs. Labor’s failure to break the back of inflation means hardworking families are paying higher prices, higher interest rates and higher taxes for longer.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said this policy announcement was another empty promise from a Prime Minister who is out of touch and out of his depth.

“All educators do incredibly valuable work for our communities. Of course we would like them to have better pay.

“But today’s announcement from the Prime Minister shows he doesn’t understand why Australians are under so much cost of living pain: Labor’s homegrown inflation.

“As the Reserve Bank Governor noted this week, government spending is adding fuel to the inflationary fire. That means inflation, and therefore interest rates, will stay higher for longer.

“The latest ABS Living Cost Index tells us that cost have soared by over 18 per cent for working families since Labor came to power.

“We have also seen real wages for employees fall by 9 per cent and living standards by 8 per cent.

“Australians are suffering immensely because of Labor’s economic mismanagement. Things will not get better until inflation has been beaten.”

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Angie Bell said early childhood educators deserve better than this Labor Government who continue to use them as a political football.

“Early childhood educators do an incredible job caring for and educating our youngest Australians, but the reality is that this policy is a pre-election sweetener, and an effort to appease Labor’s union paymasters,” Ms Bell said.

“Labor promised families cheaper child care, and yet 12 months on and out of pockets costs have increased by 8.4 per cent, and there are still no new places for regional Australians suffering from no access.

“What happens in two years when the 15 per cent has been paid and the cap on restraints is lifted? It’s Australian families who will ultimately foot the bill.”

The cost of living crisis is getting worse for Australians and the Albanese Government’s inability to manage the economy and their reckless spending is hurting families and businesses around the country

Today’s announcement is just another example of Labor delaying until after the election. After more than two years of promises they do not have a real plan.

Australian families deserve better than Labor.