I join in debate on the Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Bill 2024, another terrific Labor bill. It is a great day in Parliament when we help, support and thank our New South Wales workers. The bill is so important for the many community and disability workers who provide such crucial services right across the State. I acknowledge the work of the Australian Services Union, Angus McFarland and his team, who have advocated for those essential workers for years. Providing portable long service leave not only recognises them, as it should, but also assists with recruiting and retaining workers in the community and disability sectors. Joanna, a disability worker, says:
Having portable entitlements is a necessary change. The industry has become more complex, and having portable entitlements will help acknowledge that our work is professional.
Leanne says:
It's common to change jobs in our sector. I was at one organisation for 9 years. Even after all that time on the frontline I wasn't entitled to long service. Even though I worked hard for it, was loyal to the sector and kept vulnerable people safe.
The skills and caregiving of Joanna, Leanne and all disability and community workers are vital. We hear, we see and we thank them all. However, thank you is not nearly enough. They need to be given the same conditions as other workers in those sectors right across Australia. The Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory have already established portable long service schemes for the disability and community sectors. New South Wales should not fall behind. Workers in our State deserve the same support and respect.
The bill covers workers in alcohol and other drug services; child safety and support services; community legal services; disability supports and services; family and domestic support services; foster care services; homelessness support services; out‑of‑home care services; settlement and refugee services; social housing services; women's health support services; Youth Justice services; and youth support services. All of them are really important jobs for the people of New South Wales. They are huge and often high-stress jobs, and they take a toll. Worker turnover can be high because of the demanding nature of the work. Crisis and trauma are associated with these jobs, which can lead to burnout.
The benefits of the bill are tenfold for the worker, their friends and family, and of course the community of New South Wales. It will allow them to take an extended holiday to spend time with family; complete further education and training; and address health issues that require rest. It will provide savings to employers and the community; reduce recruitment costs; attract more workers; and create savings in training. Clients will have the same workers, and workers will be able to follow those clients to different services or packages. That is really important because it can be quite unsettling for some who do not have the same worker day in, day out. Long service leave will reduce burnout and stop experienced staff leaving the sector. Those conditions are so reflective of the Minns Labor Government's values: equity, fairness, respect and opportunity.
It is only with the New South Wales Labor Government that workers' rights are put front and centre. I congratulate the Minister, who is in the Chamber, and her hardworking team. I think she has not left the Chamber many times today. Our Minister is a strong unionist and advocate for workers in New South Wales and has a long record of taking care of these workers. I thank the Australian Services Union and the mighty trade union movement for fighting for these rights for a long time. We wrap our arms around our community and disability workers tonight and thank them for their care and contribution to New South Wales. I commend the bill to the House.
