Along with much of the nation, I was relieved by the election results on Saturday.
ANMF (Vic Branch) is not affiliated with any political party, but as nurses, midwives and carers we knew that much of what Peter Dutton and the Coalition promised this time around didn’t stack up – not for us; not for our patients, our residents, our women or our consumers; not for our future workforce; not for Australia.
As a union, ANMF has fought both Labor and Liberal when it comes to securing the best outcomes for our members. We are guided by past performance as well as by policy commitments. This election, as we do every election, we asked for those commitments from all key players: LNP, Labor, Greens and independents.
Based on the Albanese Government’s track record, the answers we received – or didn’t receive – from federal politicians (shared via social media accounts due to the piecemeal way in which commitments arrived), and various policy announcements over the past few months, the Branch believes Australia made the right choice on Saturday.
A choice to build on the good work the Albanese Government has already done in aged care.
A choice to support our nursing and midwifery students and grads with placement payments and reduced HECS debts.
A choice to support a cleaner, healthier nuclear-free energy future.
A choice to support and strengthen Medicare.
A choice for workers’ rights.
A choice for women’s rights, and women’s health.
Reflect, acknowledge and celebrate
As I write this, ANMF midwifery members are acknowledging and celebrating the International Day of the Midwife. This is a day to reflect upon the vital role of midwives and midwifery within our healthcare system and society, to share the joys (and heartbreak) of this extraordinary profession, and to celebrate the many significant wins that midwives have achieved, in Victoria and around the world.
ANMF is proud and honoured to stand with you. Midwifery members and staff, including Acting Assistant Secretary Nicole Allan and Acting Maternity Services Officer Mim Harrison, have much to celebrate – from the introduction of a sole midwife allowance and endorsed midwife recognition and entitlement in the current public sector EBA to improved night shift ratios in postnatal; there has also been an increased focus from government on finding solutions to Victoria’s midwifery and maternity challenges.
And of course, next Monday 12 May is International Nurses Day. It is my great privilege to be a nurse, and I will be reflecting and celebrating our wonderful profession next Monday with every other nurse, in our state and across the globe.
From our world-leading public sector nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios to the indomitable strength and passion of our collective ANMF members – a significant majority of the health workforce – Victoria’s nurses and nursing industry are hard to beat.
However you acknowledge the day, you can be confident knowing that your union, the ANMF, has your back.
