This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the outsourcing of government cleaning contracts. My party predecessors at the time condemned that decision as heartless and contemptible. It came after substantial improvements to the Government Cleaning Service which, from 1989 to 1993, showed a profit. The privatisation led to not only poorer working conditions but also job losses. Many of the 7,500 Government Cleaning Service employees were middle-aged and older women, and they were often from non-English speaking backgrounds—they generally have a harder time finding jobs than other demographics. It was also pointed out at the time that the government of the day neglected to look at previous privatisations of government cleaning services.

Under the Kennett Government in Victoria, post privatisation, schools were hit particularly hard because many cleaners undertook many other duties at the school, including minor repairs and opening up. They often lived locally and had children in those schools. The Kennett Government did this solely to slash operating hours and to save money. Instead, it left the service to suffer and parents to fill the void. As is always the case with privatisation, government services that had been neglected, run-down and underfunded for years were declared to be inefficient, and it was claimed that those problems could only be fixed by the private sector. As we have seen time and time again, selective facts and false economies were used to justify conservative dogma. It was never about what is best for schools or service provision. Like much that comes from Kennett, both then and now, it was misguided, ideologically driven, partisan nonsense.

A lot has changed in 30 years, with the IT revolution, digitisation and the proliferation of apps and cloud‑based services. What were once expensive and difficult‑to‑maintain systems and processes can be downloaded by anyone on their personal device. The efficiency with which governments can procure has also improved with technology, as has governance and process. With these improvements, there is no reason why procurement processes and working conditions for school cleaners should not also improve. Instead, sadly, the troubling truth is that school cleaners 30 years on are still facing the impact of privatisation.

They face impossible workloads as cleaning hours are cut down. In a recent statewide survey of around 300 school cleaners, it was reported that they are expected to perform an average of 600 tasks each day under the existing privatisation contract. The survey also showed that 37 per cent of cleaners reported workplace injuries, as they rush from job to job. Those injuries are not minor, with respondents saying they have suffered a fractured knee, broken ankle or broken wrist.

I had the pleasure of meeting with a number of local cleaners from my electorate late last year. They shared with me the harsh reality of their working conditions under privatisation, detailing injuries, tools of the job in poor condition and unreasonable working hours. Previously schools that had five full‑time cleaners now have one full‑time and two part‑time cleaners. Cleaners have had to contest with a lack of supplies, with some waiting up to three months simply for a mop. Winter shirts have to be used in summer. The buffers they use to clean the floors are from the days prior to privatisation. Yes, that is 30 years ago. The equipment used by the cleaners is not only older than every student; it is also older than some of the teachers. This sometimes forces cleaners to bring their own equipment, which then leads to them being reprimanded.

Many of the cleaners are trusted and well-liked members of the school community, so much so that some schools have hired their cleaners to be school general assistants, or GAs. In an absurdity created by privatisation, schools can directly hire GAs, while cleaners are contracted centrally. Cleaners face job insecurity every time the contract in put out to tender. Most egregious is that more than half of the school cleaners report they had not received the right pay, and one-third reported they had faced bullying, harassment or discrimination. That is exactly what my predecessors in this place predicted 30 long years ago.

That is why I welcome the Minns Government's commitment to a review into the existing privatisation of school cleaning. The New South Wales parliamentary review, in its early stages, is being chaired by the member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren. I look forward to the outcomes of the review and note that the Australian Capital Territory has brought cleaning in-house. Victoria is ahead in bringing cleaners back in-house, while Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have always kept their cleaners in-house. Cleaners' rights should be represented and respected. I thank the cleaners who I met with for sharing their stories, and the United Workers Union for its advocacy on this important issue.

Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (18:52): I commend the member for Leppington for his proactive approach and his engagement with stakeholders, his constituency and everyone else in relation to the school cleaning issues and concerns. The review is well underway and much consultation has taken place with stakeholders, unions, the department and local members of Parliament. We are looking forward to seeing a speedy outcome and seeing what can be done for this very important workforce in our schools that does very important work. It cannot be underrated. During COVID we learnt the importance of hygiene, looking after workers and making sure the industry receives the support it needs and deserves. That is ultimately what the review is set to achieve.