The Special General Meeting called on all NSW political parties to urgently meet with the NSWNMA leadership to negotiate support for the union’s demand for improved and enforceable ratios “on every shift, and in every ward and unit in every hospital.”

At the meeting, Jason Mullavey, NSWNMA branch president at Nepean Hospital, said the NSW Liberal/National government was clearly opposed to ratios, and nurses were also concerned that the Labor Opposition had yet to commit to ratios.

Brett Holmes told the meeting that many nurses who are ALP members are getting their local ALP branches to pass resolutions in support of ratios.

“It appears the ALP is very concerned about looking like they’re going to be profligate spenders of money,” Brett said.

“We can’t take anything for granted; we have to continue lobbying, continue to talk to them and convince them that it is in their best interests to have the nurses and midwives saying we want a change of government.”

NSWNMA president O’Bray Smith added: “We need to make sure the ALP is aware we don’t back a party that doesn’t back ratios.”