Thursday, 27 August 2026

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (17:26): (1812) The adjournment matter that I wish to raise is for the Minister for Education and concerns the enterprise bargaining agreement for our education workers. The action that I seek is for the minister to provide an update on how this agreement will support teachers, principals and education support staff in my electorate of Narre Warren South. The value of our education workers cannot be underestimated. They are dedicated individuals who show up every day to help our kids learn, grow and thrive. As a former teacher I can attest to the passion for education that education workers have in their profession. As a parent I have seen the difference that a great teacher can make in kids’ lives, and as a local member of Parliament I have been really lucky to meet many principals and see the commitment that they have to their school communities.

I welcome the Carroll Labor government’s recent EBA offer, which has been endorsed by the Australian Education Union and locks in Victorian teachers as the best paid in the country with the best conditions. I thank our hardworking teachers and school support staff across my electorate for everything that they do, and I also acknowledge the many local AEU delegates that have come and seen me. They are from my community, I have met with them, they have shared their experiences with me and I have been grateful to hear all of that. The agreement itself recognises that great public education values the people who work so very hard to deliver it, and it aims to ensure that our teachers feel supported and have the time and resources they need to have a sustainable career doing the job they came into teaching to do. I look forward to sharing that response from the minister with my community.