Breaking the Monopoly: Fighting for Rights and Real Change in Queensland Healthcare through the formation of QNCH

Queensland’s healthcare system faces huge challenges and is on the brink of collapse. Nurses and Midwives are experiencing difficult working conditions while patient needs continue to grow. With EB12 negotiations approaching, we have an opportunity to address these key issues including workplace conditions, staffing levels, recruitment and retention of staff through substantial pay increases to rebuild our healthcare system and support the nurses and midwives who deliver this essential care. 

The True Cost of Union Monopoly

The current system isn't just failing nurses and midwives – it's actively working against them.

In 2022 the Australian Labour Party adopted changes to the Industrial Relations Act 2016, by removing ‘industrial association’. This calculated move was designed to enforce a union stronghold and deny workers their fundamental right to choose their representation in enterprise bargaining negotiations.

Since 2009, enterprise bargaining has averaged around 1% annual wage growth for Queensland nurses and midwives, resulting in negative real wage growth when accounting for inflation. These minimal increases have effectively served only to cover rising union fees, while the ratio of bureaucrats to nurses has reached an alarming 1:2.5 and when compared to efficient healthcare systems internationally, where the ratio is closer to 1:10.

 A New Path Forward for our Queensland Health nurses and midwives: The QNCH Strategy!!

In response to this crisis, we're launching a multi-faceted approach. One avenue is through NPAQs support of Queensland Nurses for Choice and Health (QNCH). This strategy combines potential legal challenge, grassroots organisation, and practical solutions to restore power to frontline nurses and midwives, by offering free QNCH membership to all Queensland Health NPAQ members to bring powerful change to the healthcare sector.

Key elements of our plan include:

1. Challenging Anti-Competitive Legislation: We're fighting to restore freedom of association and equal access to the law for all Queensland workers. The current legislation not only violates basic human rights but also breaches international labour organisation conventions adopted by 193 member states.

2. Fighting for Real Wage Growth: by targeting the bureaucratic bloat, we've identified potential healthcare savings of more than $1 billion. Even modest progress in reducing administrative overheads could fund a 25% pay increase for nurses and midwives, while improving local healthcare services.

3. Restoring Local Control: Our "Go Local" initiative aims to return hospital management to local communities and frontline healthcare workers. This would streamline unnecessary reporting requirements and ensure financial spending aligns with patient outcomes rather than bureaucratic priorities.

4. Building Collective Strength: NPAQ members now represent nearly 20% of Queensland Health's nursing and midwifery workforce. With EB12 requiring 50%+1 approval from voting nurses and midwives -  our voice cannot be ignored!!

A Vision for Reform

Our plan isn't just about wages – it's about fundamentally transforming how healthcare is delivered in Queensland. 

By returning control to local hospitals, healthcare workers and their communities, we can:

• Reduce bureaucratic interference, which supports clinical autonomy in patient care decisions and addresses nurses and midwives workplace issues.

• Improve and enhance resource allocation and efficiency

• Enhance patient outcomes through locally-tailored solutions

• Create better working conditions for all nurses and midwives

• Deliver real wage growth without increasing overall costs

The Choice Ahead

New Zealand's recent healthcare reforms provide a compelling example. After experiencing similar issues with centralisation, their current new government is decisively moving to restore local control and reduce bureaucratic waste. Queensland Health can learn from this example to improve resource allocation, operational efficiency and meeting current challenges facing nurses and midwives, such as staffing and increased workloads.

Your Role in Change

As EB 12 negotiations approach, your support is crucial. By joining QNCH, you're not just becoming a member – you're becoming part of a movement fighting for positive change:

• Real wage growth and improved working conditions

• Freedom of association and choice in representation

• A healthcare system that puts patients and nurses and midwives first

• Local control and reduced bureaucracy, therefore funnelling these resource back into the local community

• A sustainable future for Queensland healthcare

Your voice and experience are valuable in shaping and fighting for Queensland’s healthcare future through QNCH. Together, healthcare professionals can contribute to building a stronger, more effective system that benefits both patients and healthcare professionals.

The time for real change is now. Join QNCH Now.