Fighting for Nurses’ Right to Choose – Our QIRC Application is In!

Yesterday, the Nurses’ Professional Association of Queensland (NPAQ) and Queensland Nurses for Choice in Health (QNCH) took a critical step in the fight against the unjust union monopoly imposed by the ALP Industrial Relations Act.

We officially lodged our application with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) to challenge these laws that attempt to strip Queensland nurses and midwives of their fundamental right to choose their representation.

Left to right:
QNCH Secretary - Michelle Southwell, NPAQ President - Kara Thomas, NPAQ Secretary - Ella Leach,
QNCH President - Andrew Bragg

These restrictive laws, implemented under former ALP Minister Grace Grace, have created a system that forces Queensland Health nurses into an ALP-affiliated union, regardless of their personal beliefs. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) has used members’ fees to fund ALP election campaigns, funnelling resources into politics rather than into real advocacy for frontline healthcare workers.

 Why This Matters:

• Nurses and midwives deserve freedom of association – to choose who represents them at the bargaining table.
• The current system forces nurses to fund political campaigns they may not support.
• The registration process is rigged against competition, denying fair worker representation.

With 20% of Queensland’s nurses choosing NPAQ for affordable, independent representation, we are standing firm against this unjust and undemocratic system. Our application to QIRC is a direct challenge to restore choice and fairness to the thousands of healthcare professionals affected.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for updates as we continue this fight!

 Join us. Stand up for your rights. Fight for choice.

For more information about QNCH or to join, visit: npaq.redunion.com.au/news/qnch

Click Here to read our latest Media Release.

Media Contact:
Kara Thomas - NPAQ President
T: 1300 263 374
E: hotline@npaq.com.au

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