Cutting penalty rates will harm healthcare
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is warning the federal government that stripping away nurses’ penalty rates and other allowances would compromise the healthcare provided to all Australians.
The acting federal secretary of the ANMF, Annie Butler, says penalty rates and shift loadings comprise a significant portion of a registered nurse (RN) or midwife’s actual remuneration as a result of their 24/7 rosters they work to keep the health system going.
“Nursing and midwifery is an around the clock profession. Day or night, people expect to have a nurse there,” Ms Butler says.
“Therefore, it’s only fair that nurses and midwives are fairly compensated for working these hours, on weekends, public holidays and special days like Christmas, when they leave their own families and friends to care for others,” she adds.
Penalty rates and shift loadings reportedly comprise 40% of a RN's actual remuneration. Cutting them, according to Ms Butler, will mean a “massive reduction” in their minimum wage.
Ms Butler claims the ANMF and its members are concerned the Productivity Commission’s Review of Fair Work Laws may see a return to the “dreaded WorkChoices”.
“Australia has a growing shortage of qualified nurses, but how can we expect to recruit and, most importantly, retain nurses, if Prime Minister Abbott now wants to rob them of their penalty rates and other allowances? It’s ludicrous,” she says.
“We’ll see more and more of our highly trained nursing and midwifery workforce walk away from the profession they love. And, ultimately, the quality healthcare they can deliver to Australians at all hours of the day and night, will be seriously compromised as a consequence.”
