Getting Australia on the right side of history

Hope has lifted that Australia’s new government following the 18 May federal election will do the right thing and join the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons. This should of course be a paramount and unifying humanitarian issue above party politics, as Australian governments both Coalition and Labor have previously signed us up to the treaties […]

Aged Care Royal Commission: What does it mean for the ANMF?

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety provides a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to identify, examine and address the multitude of issues facing the aged care sector. Paramount being the objective of ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of older Australians who rely on care. The ANMF is uniquely placed to participate […]

Nursing Now campaign launches in Australia

Australian nursing organisations, including the ANMF have welcomed the Australian launch of the global Nursing Now campaign. Nursing Now aims to improve health globally by raising the profile and status of nurses worldwide influencing policymakers and supporting nurses themselves to lead, learn and build a global movement. Nursing Now Co-Chair and UK All Party Parliamentary […]

Change the Rules: change the government rallies

ANMF members and officials rallied alongside other working Australians across the country today to protest against the failure of the Morrison government to deliver secure jobs and fair pay. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Change the Rules rallies took part in 14 centres across the country, from Cairns to Launceston, to Perth. ACTU […]

Labor’s health injection welcomed

Labor’s pledge to restore $2.8 billion to the health system and inject $2.3 billion into Medicare will provide much needed relief for Australia’s public hospitals and increase access to the health system for many, says the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten committed to reinvest ‘every single dollar’ stripped from public hospitals, […]

ICN: campaigning health for all

The ANMF has developed an international network of affiliations to advance the interests of the professions and improve health outcomes globally. The ANMJ talks with President Annette Kennedy of the International Council of Nurses (ICN). As President, what do you see as the ICN’s major roles? As the global voice of nursing representing more than […]

Government backflip on paid healthcare for SEATO nurses

Civilian nurses who served during the Vietnam War could soon get access to a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card that covers the cost of medical treatment for all conditions earlier than first flagged following an Australian government decision to fast-track the vital support. Over 200 volunteer civilian nurses joined surgical and medical teams […]

ANMF takes the stand at Royal Commission

Implementing mandated minimum staffing levels and skills mix in aged care is not the sole indicator of a quality system yet one undoubtedly cannot be achieved without taking the action.  That was the key message from Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Federal Secretary Annie Butler as she took the stand at the Royal Commission […]

Staff ratios emerge as key issue as Royal Commission into Aged Care begins

More than half of the 300 public submissions already received by the Royal Commission into Aged Care have raised concerns about substandard or unsafe care and staffing issues, including staff ratios, evidence at the opening hearing of the inquiry into Australia’s aged care system has revealed. About 81% of the public submissions detailed concerns over […]

Justice for SEATO nurses?

Civilian nurses who voluntarily served during the Vietnam War campaigning for more than two decades to secure the same health entitlements accessed by the military will be forced to wait another year and a half despite achieving long overdue recognition for their selfless contribution. More than 200 nurses answered the Australian government’s call for civilian […]