Media Release
23 August 2007
At last – a commitment to Health Reform
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) announces support for the ALP’s commitment to health reform, in particular the plan to establish a Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. The ANF has been actively lobbying the Howard Government for the establishment of the commission and is now pleased that the ALP has recognised and acted upon this important initiative.
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary of the ANF, said today that health reform is long overdue and any plans to tackle such an important issue must be dealt with by informed and experienced professionals. The ALP’s establishment of a Health and Hospitals Reform Commission is an important first step in a reform process based on full and proper consultation.
The ANF welcomes the two billion dollars of initiatives for the states and territories to improve health delivery in their respective jurisdictions as it is important for communities to be able to benefit from local understanding and responsiveness.
“Community needs can best be dealt with at the local level”, Ms Kearney said, “and the ANF notes that the ALP policy gives the state and territory governments until 2009 to engage with the health reform process.”
“Nurses across Australia will be excited about the prospect of improving our health system where they struggle each day to provide basic nursing care. The ANF will work hard with nurses to assist state and territory governments to meet the improved outcomes.”
The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in
Media inquiries
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322