WILLIAMSON WELCOMES FAIR WORK COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL PAY PARITY

The NSW Labor Government must immediately respect the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation yesterday to increase funding for the community preschool sector, bringing the pay of early childhood teachers in line with their colleagues in public preschools, according to State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson.

Mr Williamson said the Fair Work Commission had accepted calls by the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch, which has been advocating for long overdue pay rises for teachers and educators in community preschools.

“The umpire has spoken,” Mr Williamson said.

“The NSW Labor Government must now accept the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation and immediately fund pay rises that properly value the work of community preschool educators.”

Mr Williamson said the current pay gap — with community preschool teachers earning significantly less than their counterparts in public schools and government preschools despite holding the same qualifications — is unfair and unsustainable.

“This is a workforce crisis created by chronic underfunding,” he said.

“There are more than 700 community preschools across NSW providing high-quality early education, many in regional communities like ours. They cannot continue to operate under a model that undervalues their teachers.”

Mr Williamson has consistently advocated for pay parity, speaking in Parliament on the issue and standing alongside educators and his Nationals colleagues at the Day of Action outside NSW Parliament in October last year.

“I have stood shoulder to shoulder with preschool educators and I will continue to do so,” he said.

“These are not-for-profit, community-run services focused entirely on children’s education and wellbeing — not profit margins. They deserve fair, sustainable funding and their educators deserve fair pay.”

Mr Williamson called on the Minns Labor Government to act without delay.

“The Fair Work Commission has made its recommendation. The Government must now do the right thing and fund pay rises that recognise the professionalism, dedication and value of community preschool educators.”

PHOTOS: Richie is pictured with Melinda Gambley, Vice-President of the Northern Rivers Preschool Alliance and Director of Clunes Community Preschool along with his Nationals colleague, the Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest at the Day of Action held in Martin Place, Sydney in October last year.   Former Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning The Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC addresses the 400-strong crowd at the Day of Action.