After 32 years working on behalf of nurses and midwives, Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) Secretary Beth Mohle has retired.

Ms Mohle joined the QNMU as an organiser in 1991 and became Secretary in 2011. During her time as Secretary, the QNMU became the State’s largest union and the peak professional and industrial body for Queensland nurses and midwives.

During Ms Mohle’s tenure, Queensland also became the fourth Government in the world to make nurse-to-patient ratios law in public health facilities. In the first year alone, these ratios saved up to 145 lives and $70 million taxpayer dollars. Ratios continue to be rolled out.

Ms Mohle was also QNMU Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic, working incredible hours to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Queensland nurses, midwives and those they care for. In 2020, she was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to industrial relations, the nursing profession and the superannuation sector.

“It is with deep emotion that I step down as Secretary of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union,” Ms Mohle said.

“It has been an honour to serve Queensland’s nurses and midwives as Union Secretary for the past 11 years. The work our members do every day to keep Queenslanders safe has always motivated and inspired me while leading our great union.

“Nursing and midwifery are forever evolving professions and I’m proud to have contributed to some significant reforms that have benefited our professions.

“During my time as Secretary, I worked with our member nurses and midwives to challenge power, to seek to redistribute power and to give a voice to those without one.

“The greatest privilege of my life has been leading one of the most important and often unrecognised group of workers in Queensland.

“As a union our fight is never over, but it’s time for me to hand the baton on to a team that has the knowledge, experience, stability and vision to continue to propel our great union forward.

“Those in power think we will give up and that’s exactly why we can’t. Unions are and will remain the voice for social good.”

QNMU Assistant Secretary and Registered Nurse (RN) Kate Veach, who has been appointed QNMU Secretary, said Ms Mohle’s contributions to Queensland nursing and midwifery were extensive.

“Beth Mohle is an incredible force for change,” Ms Veach said.

“Beth led us through some of the darkest days for nursing and midwifery when 1800 nurses and midwives were sacked by the Campbell Newman LNP government. She was a beacon of hope when most had none.

“Beth operated with such integrity, speaking truth to power while always staying true to her nursing values – she has led a life dedicated to serving others.”

Ms Veach said Ms Mohle also contributed significantly to the campaign to see Registered Nurse requirements made federal law in all Queensland and Australian private aged care facilities, as well as minimum nursing care minutes.

“Beth championed significant increases to wages and conditions for the QNMU’s more than 71,000 members and successfully lobbied for superannuation changes to help close the gender pay gap,” Ms Veach said.

“Beth has dedicated her working life to improving conditions for Queenslanders and will be greatly missed as she leaves to enjoy her retirement.”

Ms Mohle announced her retirement to the QNMU Council on 28 April and formally retired her position on July 2. Ms Veach, who has been QNMU Assistant Secretary since 2021, is a Registered Nurse and has been a QNMU member for 29 years. Previously, she was QNMU Director of Organising and Professional Services and has worked extensively in senior nursing roles.

QNMU Director of Organising and Professional Services and Registered Nurse Sarah Beaman has been appointed as QNMU Assistant Secretary.

QNMU Media Release
Media contact: 0411 254 390