March 22, 2025

Workplace Issues

Dutton blasted for opposing childcare cost of living relief for families 

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The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has criticised the Coalition for opposing a government bill aimed at providing cost-of-living relief for families paying for childcare.  

The bill, which passed the Senate on February 14, 2025, guarantees parents a minimum of three days of subsidised childcare per week, benefiting over 100,000 families nationally. 

The new legislation is set to provide significant financial relief to families, particularly those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. Families who gain access to additional childcare will save an average of $1,460 per year. 

The bill also includes commitments to build 160 urgently needed childcare centers, particularly in outer urban and regional areas. 

Despite the benefits, the Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, voted against the bill. They argued that it would replace the current activity test, which has been criticised for creating barriers for young families to access work and care. 

Coalition Senators, along with United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet, former Queensland Liberal-turned-Independent Gerard Rennick, and One Nation, opposed the bill. 

ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien expressed disappointment in the Coalition’s stance, noting that “childcare is one of the biggest expenses for a young family.” 

“Peter Dutton is happy to give bosses long free lunches but refuses to support families struggling with the costs of childcare,” he continued. 

O’Brien emphasised that the Coalition’s opposition to the bill demonstrates a lack of interest in helping families make ends meet. 

“Peter Dutton and the Coalition are not interested in helping families make ends meet. If they were they would have voted in support of these measures.”

Nurses and midwives’ picket NSW Parliament

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Nurses and midwives from across the state staged a two hour own-time picket outside NSW Parliament on Wednesday to send the Minns Labor government a clear message that they aren’t going away until a decent pay rise is delivered.

While Premier Chris Minns fronted Budget Estimates inside the parliament, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members demanded his government directs new money into health to ensure nurses and midwives get fair and equal pay with other states.

NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said the NSW gender pay gap had widened because the government had chosen to disrespect and ignore its largest female-dominated workforce.

“The NSW gender pay gap is the highest it has been in more than a decade, sitting at 7.2%. Nurses and midwives make up the largest proportion of female workers in the state’s public sector, so if the government was serious about driving the gender pay gap down, it would deliver a proper pay rise. Instead, it’s showing it doesn’t value us,” said Ms Candish.

“Nurses and midwives shouldn’t have to wait until late 2025 for a decision on our 2024 pay and conditions claim in the Industrial Relations Commission. The longer this process takes, the more nurses and midwives we will lose to other states who value them with competitive wages.

“The government hasn’t moved from its original application and continues to think that 3% is enough to fix the gender pay gap and the staffing crisis in NSW.

“The government could put an end to this dispute right now by sitting down and negotiating a fair outcome with us.”

The NSWNMA is also calling on the Minns government to direct millions of dollars in new federal health funding towards nurses and midwives’ wages.

ANMF welcomes boost to Medicare: more GP visits and extra nurses

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The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) welcomed the Albanese Government’s pledge to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system – including 400 additional nursing scholarships and an $8.5 Billion funding boost for 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year.

Under the package announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler today, nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number.

“Medicare has been the pillar of universal healthcare for all Australians, but after 40 years it needs renewal to ensure it meets the needs of today’s population,” ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said today.

“That’s why we commend the Albanese Government on its commitment to expanding bulk billing services across the community, giving people access to quality healthcare when and where they need it.

“As the country continues to deal with ever-increasing cost of living pressures, more bulk-billing services will make visiting a GP when it’s needed possible for so many Australians, not only saving them money but allowing them to access timely care instead of delaying care.

“If people can access affordable care when they need it they will be less likely to end up in already overstretched emergency departments, helping to taking pressure off our hospital system.

“The Government’s pledge for an additional $10.5 Million over two years for 400 scholarships for nurses and midwives, is also great news for our members. We know that highly skilled nurses and midwives are a critical part of the solution to fix the current problems in our health system and ensure it can meet the needs of all Australians now and into the future.

“We continue to call on the Government to support the work of nurses and midwives, allowing them to work to their full scope of practice and delivering best health outcomes across the community.”

‘We stand for love, we stand for peace’ – Nurses and midwives unite to condemn hate speech

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Nurses and midwives have come together in Sydney’s CBD to promote cultural unity and harmony. It follows shocking reports of hate speech allegedly involving two nurses employed by NSW Health.

Public sector members and their supporters had planned to hold a parliamentary picket as part of the ongoing pay campaign, however this action was postponed in the wake of the recent reporting. Instead, members and NSWNMA staff congregated at Martin Place to ensure the message of ‘no hate in health’ was heard loud and clear.

Attendees carried corflutes with messages of acceptance, including ‘No racism no bigotry’, ‘We care for all’, and ‘Care without bias, NSW Health nurses and midwives are here for you.’

Messages promoting tolerance and respect were seen throughout the crowd.

Addressing the media, NSWNMA Acting General Secretary Michael Whaites reiterated the union’s position of opposing hate speech in all its forms.

“Today we are rightfully pausing (our public sector pay campaign), in order to make a clear comment”, said Mr Whaites.

“We stand against racism, we stand against bigotry. We stand for love, we stand for peace, and we stand for solidarity. The comments do not reflect our professions, they do not reflect the belief of our membership.

“We’ve been out there supporting (our members at the facility), offering both welfare support, and also providing industrial and professional advice.

“We of course support the investigation by NSW Health, I think that is going to be necessary to provide reassurance to the community that the comments made on that video are not based on reality and do not reflect the care that is being provided.”

NSWNMA President O’Bray Smith says her thoughts are with those working at the impacted hospital.

“My first thought was (for) the nurses and midwives who turn up every single shift and look after the community. This incident does not represent them, it certainly doesn’t represent us as a profession. I was devastated for my colleagues who work out there who work so hard to care for the community,” said Ms Smith.

“Please understand this does not define us.

“We need to use this to come together, this is a reason for us to stand together, be united, and together we will fight racism.”

Today’s rally was supported by members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), United Services Union (USU), Public Service Association (ASU), Professionals Australia, and other unions and community organisations.

Statement on antisemitic investigation

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The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) condemns all forms of racism, bigotry and hatred, including acts of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Responding to comments allegedly made by two NSW Health employees on social media, NSWNMA Acting General Secretary, Michael Whaites, said he was disgusted by the conduct.

“Health practitioners are bound by codes of conduct to care for all people, regardless of their circumstances. There is no room for this type of behaviour in our healthcare systems,” said Mr Whaites.

“The alleged conduct portrayed is deplorable, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

“We are supporting our members at Bankstown Hospital who have been affected by the alleged actions of the two nurses involved.

“As a union representing the professions of nursing and midwifery we stand for peace, we stand for love, and we defend the global human right to healthcare.

“Our membership embraces many cultures and we are all shocked by today’s events.  Members of trade unions stand together, united in opposing racism, bigotry and hatred.

“We will continue to call for unity across all communities, oppose racism, and promote cultural harmony and tolerance.”

Strike boosts confidence at Prince of Wales Private

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Nurses and midwives at Healthscope’s Prince of Wales Private Hospital (POWP) are forming a NSWNMA branch following their first-ever strike.

Strong support for the historic strike in December encouraged POWP members to step up their union involvement via a formal branch structure.

Active Association branches in workplaces are the main mechanism for members to get organised and have a say over local issues affecting their own facility and employer.

Branches also give members an input into the running of the Association’s statewide campaigns and ensure that each workplace has a voice in the Association’s policies and direction.

In the absence of a branch, POWP nurses formed a WhatsApp discussion group for union members and used it to take a poll on possible strike action.

“Our decision was to strike for three hours,” said NSWNMA member at POWP, Tatiana Parra. “We got from 50 to 60 staff members to come out on strike and attend a public rally, which was a phenomenal result for our first strike.”

“Once we have a NSWNMA branch in place it will help to keep people informed, ease a lot of nerves and make us a little bit stronger.”

Prince of Wales Private Hospital (POWP) was the last major Healthscope facility in Sydney to take part in the NSWNMA’s most recent round of strike action.

Healthscope nursing staff are seeking a 15 per cent one-year wage increase, in line with the union’s public sector pay claim.

They are also calling for mandated nurse/midwife to patient ratios, doubling of night shift penalties to 30 per cent, and improved
leave entitlements.

Healthscope, which is owned by corporate giant Brookfield (see story page 14) was refusing to seriously negotiate on the claims when this issue of The Lamp went to press.

Earlier in 2024, NSWNMA members across Healthscope’s hospitals voted overwhelmingly to apply for a protected action ballot order from the Fair Work Commission.

The Commission approved the application, and the protected action ballot took place in October.

More than 77 per cent of NSWNMA members voted in the ballot, and over 95 per cent of those who participated voted ‘Yes’.

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