QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator SHELDON (New South Wales—Chief Government Whip in the Senate) (14:24): My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Walsh. Families rely on quality early learning centres to balance work and family life and to give their children a great start. But to have a quality early learning sector, we need to build a skilled, stable workforce.

This week, the parliament passed legislation to lock in the Albanese Labor government's historic 15 per cent pay rise for early educators. Can the minister update the Senate on how this legislation will create jobs, deliver fair pay, keep costs down for families and strengthen safety for children?