The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has revealed the political parties standing with nurses and midwives this federal election.
Labor and the Australian Greens have pledged their commitment or partial commitment for all, or the majority, of the ANMF’s priorities.
Disappointingly, the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberals, Peter Dutton, and the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud have as yet failed to respond to the ANMF.
The ANMF wrote to the leaders of each major political party seeking their commitment to 12 specific priorities which will improve the wages, working conditions and wellbeing of nurses, midwives and care workers and their capacity to deliver safe, high-quality healthcare for the Australian community.
The Labor government has committed to nine of 12 of the ANMF’s priorities, including investment in nurses and midwives through supporting wage increases for aged care nurses, funding scholarships for nurses and midwives to undertake postgraduate study to extend their skills and experience, and supporting nursing and other students with Fee-Free TAFE and the soon to be introduced Commonwealth Prac Payment.
Additionally, the government is in the final stages of developing the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which will guide the nursing workforce now and into the future.
“The strategy will help address workforce challenges, foster collaboration and drive action among stakeholders in shaping the future of workforce planning, investment and reform,” the ALP said, in its written response to the ANMF.
“The government has consulted widely with nurses and midwives on the strategy, and the ANMF has played a vital role as a member of the advisory group that is providing advice on the development of the strategy.
“We believe there is more to do and will work with the ANMF and other nursing and midwifery organisations to ensure nurses and midwives can work to their full scope of practice and have rewarding careers.”
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said it was important to know which of the major parties will be standing up for nurses, midwives and care workers in the next term of government. “During this term of government, we’ve achieved a long list of gains for our nursing, midwifery and care worker workforce and the Australian health system.
“But with many challenges in health and aged care which still need to be addressed, we believe it’s essential that our major political parties commit to maintaining and building on these achievements for the benefit of the community,” Ms Butler said.
“On behalf of nurses, midwives and care workers, we thank those parties who have engaged with the ANMF and committed to our priorities. We look forward to working with the new government to help shape the future of the Australian healthcare system.”
