Nothing is more important than the safety of our children, and early childhood education plays an incredibly important role. It provides our littlest Australians with a good start in life, a chance to learn and a chance to make friends. Early childhood education is also crucial for parents who are studying, training and working. Our early educators are so very important in shaping these young lives.
That was a frightening last thought from the member for Brisbane—the Greens with the balance of power in a minority Labor government. I couldn’t think of anything worse as a nightmare scenario than that being the case when we return from the federal election, apart from the fear that my community felt during the effects of Cyclone Alfred.
Last year, the Prime Minister promised Australia’s early childhood educators—200,000 of them—that they would receive a pay rise by the end of the year. But, in typical Labor fashion, it was just another broken promise. On 5 December, the education minister declared it was ‘payday’ for hundreds of thousands of early childhood educators. But this was yet another misleading headline, because we know that, by the end of 2024, fewer than 30,000 of those educators had received the promised pay rise, and, as of last month, only 19 per cent of eligible educators had received it.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Let’s bring in the Liberal frontbencher Angie Bell, a proud Queenslander. Let’s start with the Olympics. You must be happy to see there’s bipartisan sort of cooperation there, regardless of who’s in power federally and at the state level, that finally we will start to see some progress towards 2032, Angie?
ANGIE BELL:
Well yes, of course. We’re very excited about hosting the 2032 Olympics here in South East QLD. But I will say that the Prime Minister didn’t highlight those three years lost under the Labor government here in Queensland.
Gold Coasters deserve to feel safe and be safe in their home and within the local community. Only a Dutton-led Coalition government will get Australia back on track by tackling crime and making our communities safer. True to the Coalition’s values and commitment to community safety, Federal Member for Moncrieff, Angie Bell, has announced $15,000 in funding for the Nerang Girl Guides to construct a new perimeter fence to secure their premises.
With sporting clubs across the Gold Coast being neglected under Labor, Federal Member for Moncrieff, Angie Bell, has today announced a $286,800 commitment for upgrades to the Griffith University Knights’ facilities, if a LNP Government is elected.
The Albanese Labor Government’s funding cut agenda is crippling Gold Coast faith groups, community organisations, not-for-profits and small businesses.
The Cross Life Baptist Church’s Compassion Project in Southport will transform the venue to assist those in our community who are disadvantaged and doing it tough – especially in this current cost of living crisis.
PATRICIA KARVELAS:
I want to bring in my political panel for this afternoon. Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly and her shadow counterpart, Angie Bell. Welcome to both of you.
ANNE ALY:
Thank you
ANGIE BELL:
Thank you, Patricia.
The Gold Coast is more than bright lights and coastal allure. We have a unique and often under-appreciated feature – a deep, unwavering sense of community. This is a place where the power of mateship is alive and well, where locals actively look out for each other.
Patricia Karvelas:
Liberal MP, Angie Bell, is the Member for Moncrieff on the Gold Coast and she’s currently bunkered down in her home, sandbagged and all, under order not to leave. She joins us now. Angie Bell, welcome.
Angie Bell:
Thanks for having me Patricia.
Patricia Karvelas:
Not the best circumstances. Describe your situation right now.