Media Release
29 October 2007
ANF calls on Minister Abbott to come clean on Mersey hospital takeover
The Australian Nursing Federation, Federal Secretary, Jill Iliffe called on the Minister for Health, Tony Abbott to clarify the government’s position on the industrial relations arrangements that will apply to nursing staff at the Mersey Hospital in Tasmania after the takeover by the federal government.
Ms Iliffe said that in meetings with hospital staff and in statements to parliament Minister Abbott and the Prime Minister have sought to reassure nursing staff their current employment conditions would be maintained and they would not be forced onto Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs).
Ms Iliffe said this appeared to be inconsistent with ABC media reports that the Tasmanian Solicitor General has received advice that the federal government is unable to honour such commitments.
Ms Iliffe said that nursing staff at the Mersey Hospital are now fearful they may now lose their conditions of employment and called on Minister Abbott to honour his commitments or come clean to the nurses.
Ms Iliffe stated that in August 2007 the ANF wrote to Minister Abbott seeking to clarify these and other industrial issues on behalf of the nurses and have yet to receive a reply.
Media inquiries:
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322
The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in