Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault) (19:00): Our teachers are extraordinary. I am sure that every member in this Chamber can remember a special teacher they encountered in school during their learning—teachers who pushed them to achieve more than they thought they were capable of; teachers who supported them through difficult times in their lives, at home or with family; and teachers who made a particular class or subject that little bit more special and fun which sparked their learning. I remember Mr Blair, my high school master, who many people from my year are still in contact with and are friends with on Facebook. He shows up to school reunions. I remember Mr Dixon, who was my biology teacher and had the worst dad jokes ever. I am not going to share them right now, but I am happy to afterwards.

Mr Rory Amon: Do it. Share them.

Ms JODIE HARRISON: No. He is a biology teacher; they were pretty bad. I remember Mr Rees, my year 7 English teacher, who inspired me to push further than I thought I was capable of. And I remember Mrs Jeffs, my year 3 teacher, who had the most fantastic stories about fairy penguins visiting her home. Those teachers inspired me and created in me a love of learning. I am sure that every one of us had teachers who did the same. During the pandemic we saw proof of how extraordinary our teachers are as they had to switch from face-to-face learning to online learning and back again, often with little chance to prepare and without much support.

One kindergarten teacher in my electorate, Mr Brendan Jackson from New Lambton South Public School, went out of his way to entertain his young students with musical lesson plans during remote learning. He was a fabulous dancer. That kind of creativity and dedication is a hallmark of our teachers. It is why they were rightly recognised as heroes during the pandemic. But here is the thing about heroes: When we call workers heroes, we sometimes forget that they are still workers that are doing a job for which they deserve to be properly recognised. I have met with local teachers many times, and we have talked about the challenges that they have been experiencing and the fact that the pandemic exacerbated an existing problem. One teacher wrote to me after I had met with some teachers. She said, "Uncompetitive salaries and unmanageable workloads mean teachers are leaving the profession and graduates are not entering it."

I am proud to be part of a government that is tackling this problem. I pay tribute to the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Education and Early Learning, for the passion that she brings to this. So far, the Labor Government has made 12,000 teachers and school support staff permanent across the State, including 190 in my electorate. That gives those workers the security and stability they need to support themselves and their families. The impact of that change on teachers across the State has been incredible. One teacher wrote to me during the process of conversion and said:

This is a welcome change and is one way to stem the flow of qualified and experienced teachers from the profession. As a classroom teacher with over 20 years' experience, but without a permanent position, I know well the stress that begins in about September every year as all of us temporary teachers wonder if we will have work the following year.

The Minns Labor Government has concluded an historic negotiation with the NSW Teachers Federation, resulting in an agreement that will make New South Wales teachers the highest paid in the country. It is proof of the value the Government puts on the profession of teaching to change lives. I particularly acknowledge the passion and dedication of the Deputy Premier towards changing young people's lives through education. It will benefit every teacher in the State and is of special significance in my local area.

My electorate is home to the fourth highest number of teachers of any electorate in the State. Our children deserve a quality education. Ensuring teachers and support staff are paid properly to remain in public schools is an essential part of achieving that. The reforms mean that a new generation of students will get to meet truly special teachers, like Mr Dixon, Mr Blair, Mrs Jeffs and Mr Rees, and that those teachers will be properly compensated for the important work that they do. We have not even been in government for six months. This is a massive outcome.