8 October 2004

Nurses rate the major parties
Nurses have been monitoring the major political parties health policies closely in the lead-up to the federal election tomorrow and have drawn up a 'helping hand' scorecard so the Australian public can be informed of who nurses think will be best for the health system.

'There are over 250,000 nurses in Australia - making up nearly 50% of the health workforce. They look after patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so they are well placed to judge where health reform is needed,' ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said.

'Nurses want to be able to provide high quality nursing care, and are calling for a government that will provide a health system that is properly funded, universal and well coordinated; an aged care system that truly values older people and the nurses who care for them; and, a skilled and sustainable nursing workforce.'

'Keeping these goals in mind, the ANF has rated the major parties on their health policies and on the issues the ANF has been campaigning on. While the Coalition has announced some interesting health initiatives, the ANF has assessed the ALP policies as being far superior, particularly: free health care for people over 75, a commitment to bulk billing and a universal health scheme, establishing a public dental service and a focus on health reform. In relation to nursing, the ALP policies create more undergraduate nursing places in universities and establish a chief nursing officer at federal government level.'

I Poor, II Average, III Good, IIII Excellent


Media inquiries:
Jill Iliffe, ANF Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Cowin, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322
Heather Witham, ANF Federal Communications Officer 0417 359 907

The ANF, representing 140,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.