The country’s largest union, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), has thrown its support behind the new Ministers in key portfolios in the Albanese Government, including Mark Butler in the health portfolio, Anika Wells in aged care and Ged Kearney, a former nurse and ANMF Federal Secretary, in the role of Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.
In a statement, the ANMF said its membership of over 310,000 nurses, midwives and care workers look forward to working with Ministers Butler, Wells and Assistant Minister Kearney, so we can deliver on our priorities for reforms in health and aged care, better wages for low-paid workers, gender equality and urgent action on climate change.
“We were heartened that prior to the election, Mr Albanese and his team listened to the concerns of the ANMF and our members and committed to addressing our four main priorities in private aged care. We now stand ready to work with the new Albanese Government to further develop and implement our reforms, including registered nurses 24/7; mandating staffing ratios in private aged care facilities; recognising the value of the aged care workforce through improved pay and conditions and ensuring taxpayer funds for aged care providers are tied to direct care for residents,” ANMF Acting Federal Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp, said today.
“We are excited to be working with Ministers Butler and Wells in the critical portfolios of health and aged care and in particular, our former colleague Ged Kearney, who clearly understands the challenges we’re facing and has supported the ANMF over the past decade as we’ve campaigned tirelessly to ensure fair and equitable health outcomes for all Australians.
“Mr Albanese’s appointment of a record number of women to Cabinet and MPs from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds shows that we have a Federal Government that is serious about achieving equality in the workplace and a Parliament that more accurately reflects the Australian population.”
