Nurses and midwives across Queensland Health are being lied to.
NPAQ members are reporting widespread falsehoods being spread by representatives of other unions and some workplace delegates saying:
👉 "Only members of certain unions can vote on EB12."
👉 "Only members of certain unions will be covered by EB12 and receive backpay."
These statements are completely false. They are misleading. They are designed to coerce and pressure nurses and midwives into specific union membership based on fear.
Let us be clear:
✅ You have a legal right to vote on EB12, no matter who represents you.
Under Section 189(2)(b) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), an enterprise agreement like EB12 must be agreed to by a majority of relevant employees—not just members of any union.
A relevant employee, as defined in Section 168, is anyone covered by the agreement. This includes all nurses and midwives employed under the Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health) Award – State 2015. Union membership is irrelevant.
If you are covered by the Award. You get a vote. Period.
✅ You will be covered by EB12, no matter who represents you.
Once EB12 is certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), its terms will apply to all relevant employees in the covered classifications, regardless of union membership.
This has been the case in every past agreement. EB11, for example, explicitly states:
“This Agreement will apply to all nurses and midwives employed by the Chief Executive of Queensland Health who are engaged in a classification in Schedule 1 to the Award.”
If you are in one of these classifications you will be covered by EB12. You will receive any wage increases, backpay, and improved conditions negotiated in the agreement. You do not need to join any union to be entitled to these benefits.
🚫 Lies, coercion and fear have no place in EB12
Telling staff that they must join a particular union to vote or to be covered under EB12 is a breach of employee protections.
Both the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) protect employees’ freedom of association. Coercing someone into joining a union by threatening to withhold pay or conditions is not just unethical, it may be unlawful.
NPAQ is taking action
NPAQ has formally written to the Health Minister and the Director-General demanding that this dangerous misinformation be corrected. We have provided a Suggested Memorandum that Queensland Health should urgently distribute to all senior leaders.
This memorandum confirms:
- All relevant employees are entitled to vote on EB12.
- All relevant employees will be covered by EB12 once certified.
- Misinformation must stop.
We will not stand by while our members and all Queensland nurses and midwives—are lied to.
Stand strong. Know your rights. Spread the truth.
✅ You get a vote.
✅ You will be covered by EB12.
✅ You do not have to join any particular union to secure your rights.
We are watching this process closely. We will fight to ensure fairness, transparency, and dignity for all Queensland nurses and midwives.
Kara Thomas
President, Nurses' Professional Association of Queensland
