Members of parliament have received over 40,000 emails from nurses, midwives and their supporters, calling on them to oppose proposed changes to the workers compensation scheme.
The show of force from healthcare workers stems from an attempt by the Perrotet government to remove s 19B of the Workers Compensation Act. This would force frontline workers to prove that they contracted COVID-19 at work before they are eligible for workers compensation – which would ultimately make it harder for workers to access the scheme.
The emails call on parliamentarians from both houses of parliament to “think of the nurses and midwives at [their local] hospital” when considering how to vote.
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary, Brett Holmes, called the attempts to repeal s 19B as “a disgrace”.
“We call on the Premier to withdraw his intention and to continue to care for the workers who have cared for NSW”, he said.
While intention of the repeal has been flagged by the Perrotet government, debate on the matter has yet to commence.
Nurses, midwives and their supporters are urged to continue to lobby their local parliamentary representatives. You can access the “Email your MP” tool here.