The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) welcomes the strong results for the Australian Greens and independent candidates during the weekend’s Federal Election.
“I congratulate the Australian Greens and independents on substantially increasing their representation in Parliament. ACN is a non-partisan membership-based peak body and we stand willing to work with politicians from across the political divide to ensure the issues impacting the nursing profession are urgently addressed,” ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.
“During my time as CEO, we have had a strong relationship with the Greens under the leadership of Adam Bandt and his predecessor Richard Di Natale. This has also extended to a state level where we are grateful for The NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann’s support for tax-free COVID-19 payments for nurses.”
“We have also worked very productively with the independents, including former nurse Dr Helen Haines who is a member of our Parliamentary Friends of Nursing group. We look forward to expanding this to include those newly elected to Parliament.”
“I urge both the Greens and independents to use their increased powers to ensure the Government take tangible action to address the nursing workforce crisis. Investments are required on multiple fronts to ensure the issues impacting Australia’s largest health profession are addressed, allowing us to continue shaping the health of all Australians for generations to come.”
“The solutions ACN advocates for are based directly off the experience and expertise of our Members and nurses we represent nationally. They include improving access to transition pathways after graduation, visas for internationally trained nurses, greater health and wellbeing support, refresher courses for enrolled and registered nurses and ensuring access to MBS item numbers.”
“Nursing must be at the top of the Green’s and independent’s priorities as we know that when we invest in nursing, we invest in healthy communities.”
