We are on the cusp of a federal election which will have far reaching consequences for nurses and midwives in aged care and public health – and where our rights in the workplace are at risk.

First, let’s deal with the elephant in the room.  Many nurses and midwives in NSW are, rightly, very angry with the state Labor government for their intransigence and the lack of respect they have shown us during our PHS pay campaign.

That campaign continues and we will continue to fight for the fair pay outcome that nurses and midwives richly deserve and will continue to
hold them publicly accountable for their actions.

But it is important that we recognise the different policies and outcomes that exist at the federal and state levels. For example, the federal government has had some success reducing the gender pay gap nationally while the gap continues to grow in NSW.

Even more importantly we need to consider the very real risks the federal Coalition poses to the professional interests of nurses and midwives and to the workplace rights of Australian workers in general. That includes your family, friends and acquaintances.   

Historic achievements in aged care

We acknowledge that in aged care the Albanese government has delivered historic outcomes that improve the lives of nurses and carers through significant pay increases and make the sector safer and more sustainable for residents and aged care workers alike (see page 10).

We don’t pretend that all is now rosy and everything we advocated for has been achieved in the sector. But considerable progress has been made, and the sector is going in the right direction after decades of neglect by previous parties of all stripes.

Allocating $11.3 billion in the federal budget for a record 15 per cent pay increase that benefited more than 250,000 aged care workers is  unprecedented in Australian history.

On top of this the Fair Work Commission awarded Certificate 3 employees further increases in a Work Value Case that brought their total increase to 23 per cent. This was also funded by the federal government to the benefit of a significant number of our aged care members.

More work needs to be done to ensure transparency around the levels of care delivered and employer accountability. But on the whole, the federal government has delivered on its promises in aged care made before the last federal election and the platform is there to continue improving the sector.   

Who would you trust with Medicare?

The Albanese government has promised a serious renewal of Medicare pledging $8.5 billion in incentives to GPs to bulk bill their patients. The goal is to have nine out of 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030.

The Coalition has promised to match this dollar for dollar. This bi-partisan commitment to Medicare is welcome although we retain some scepticism over the Coalition’s proposal in light of Peter Dutton’s previous record as health minister (see pp 15) when he oversaw a major assault on Medicare.

Labor’s promises to expand the Free TAFE program, to give financial support for nursing students during pracs and more nursing scholarships will have direct benefits for nurses and midwives.

Workplace rights are at risk

We, like many others in the union movement, are concerned about the impact on the workplace rights of our members covered by federal laws if a Peter Dutton-led Coalition government assumes office after the federal election.

Over the last three years the Albanese government has broadened the range of workplace rights which have benefited many of our members including more protection for union delegates, allowing casuals to convert to full-time work if they choose and the right to disconnect.

It has also introduced multi-employer bargaining and closed loopholes around labour hire and casual work.

The Coalition is already on the record promising to abolish these Albanese government measures that have boosted workers’ wages (see p 36).

This election could have serious consequences for your workplace rights and achievements. We would ask you to give serious consideration to how your vote will impact on health, aged care and workplace rights.

These issues are our core business, and we believe the way these issues are handled by the next federal government will have a considerable impact on our members’ professional and personal lives. And the lives of your families.