Over the past three years, the Albanese Government has delivered a long list of policies that will benefit Australia’s nurses and midwives and their families. The most recent ‘wins’ for ANMF members include:

Aged Care: $2.6 billion in wage rises and better and safer staffing for the aged care workforce, bringing the total outlay in support of award wage increases for aged care workers to $17.7 billion.

Strengthening Medicare: $8.5 billion in funding for Medicare reforms to expand bulk-billing and an additional 50 Urgent Care Clinics to be established across the country.

Women’s Health: $573 million invested in a landmark women’s health package, including oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapies, listed on the PBS.

Workforce: Expansion of the Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Program; 400 new nursing and midwifery scholarships; paid prac placements for student nurses and midwives; fee-free TAFE; a 20% cut to student HECS-HELP debts; the removal of collaborative arrangements for nurse practitioners and midwives and GPs; industrial reforms to support the workforce.

Cost-of-living relief: Cheaper medicines, cutting the price of a script to $25 under the PBS; three days of subsidised childcare for families; increased funding for public schools; tax cuts for every Australian and $150 energy rebates.

With the election to be held on 3 May, the ANMF has called on MPs and Senators from all political parties and Independents, to commit to supporting the Albanese Government’s policies that will benefit nurses and midwives and deliver better health and aged care across the community.

ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said: “We now need all of our political leaders to outline how they will work with the ANMF to build on the wins we’ve achieved under the Albanese Government – and how they will stand-up for nurses and midwives with measures which improve their pay and everyday working conditions and with more cost-of-living relief.

“Committing to further reforms, such as implementing the Scope of Practice Review, to support nurses and midwives will mean we build a stronger, sustainable workforce, giving Australians easier, equitable access to quality care when and where they need it.”

The ANMF, with over 345,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and carers in Australia.

ANMF media release authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne. 

ANMF media inquiries: Richard Lenarduzzi 0411 254 390