Mrs SALLY QUINNELL (Camden) (11:12): My question is addressed to the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Education and Early Learning. Can the Deputy Premier update the House on the actions that the Minns Labor Government has taken in its first eight months to rebuild our public education system and responsibly manage the State budget?
Ms PRUE CAR (Londonderry—Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning, and Minister for Western Sydney) (11:12): I certainly can. I thank the hardworking Labor member for Camden for her question—I still cannot get over saying that in response to the member for Camden. The year 2023 brought a new era for the people of New South Wales. After 12 years, finally, the people of New South Wales have a government that is rebuilding essential services, valuing essential workers and finally putting an end to the obsession with privatisation. We have done all that at the same time as starting to fix the fiscal mess left to us by members opposite. The so-called financial managers on the other side of the House left New South Wales with the biggest debt in our history and never-ending deficits. We all know that, under the Liberal-Nationals Government, New South Wales lost its triple-A credit rating for the first time in a decade.
The SPEAKER: Opposition members will cease interjecting and come to order. The member for Clarence will come to order.
Ms PRUE CAR: They came to government with three As, and they left with two. Their talking point was, "Well, we did better than Victoria." Thumbs-up to them. Great work. Apparently, we should be grateful that they racked up less debt than another State. The people of New South Wales know it to be true that for 12 years members opposite pretended to be responsible financial managers. They love talking a big game about it, but their record is a dog's breakfast. In just eight months, the new Minns Labor Government has delivered a plan to reduce debt by $15 billion. That is the biggest ever reduction in debt, and in doing so we will reduce interest costs by $2.3 billion.
That means that we can start doing things that make a difference to the people of New South Wales. That is crucial, because Government members believe in it and Opposition members clearly do not. We are investing significantly in vital public services, because that is what Labor is about. We are ending the systemic suppression of workers' wages once and for all, delivering higher wages for hundreds of thousands of workers across New South Wales, including teachers, nurses, firefighters and police. Meanwhile, those opposite still advocate for suppressing the wages of essential workers. [Extension of time]
The SPEAKER: The member for Dubbo will come to order. The member for Myall Lakes will come to order.
Ms PRUE CAR: Members opposite continue on. Why do they hate workers? I am so proud of our Government. We are rebuilding our education system by valuing and paying the people who are delivering in the classroom. This time last year, there were more than 3,000 permanent teacher vacancies. That is unacceptable. Every day 10,000 lessons are impacted by merged and cancelled classes. No-one in this Chamber can say that is acceptable.
Mr Ryan Park: That is their legacy.
Ms PRUE CAR: That is their legacy, and it cannot continue. Under this Government, teachers are finally being valued. This year we have delivered the biggest pay rise in a generation for our teachers.
Mrs Sally Quinnell: Life changing.
Ms PRUE CAR: It is life changing. I thank the member for Camden for that comment. We delivered the biggest pay rise in a generation, taking our teachers from being the worst paid in the country to among the best. Only this Labor Government is committed to better education outcomes. Who is giving teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation? It is Labor. Who has given permanent security to 16,800 temporary teachers and support staff? It is Labor. Who has made the biggest investment in school infrastructure in Western Sydney and regional New South Wales? It is Labor. Who is empowering principals to make our schools safe and productive? It is Labor. Who is reducing the workload on our teachers? It is Labor. Who is banning mobile phones in our schools, which those opposite could not do? It is Labor. By comparison, members opposite have no idea. The people of New South Wales gave their verdict, and we are delivering for them every day.
The SPEAKER: Members will come to order. I am surprised at the member for Miranda; it is unlike her to interject. The member for Myall Lakes will come to order before I call her to ask her question. She has been a bit fractious this morning.
