QLD Health nurses pay better off than under Labor

Queensland Health’s 32,700 nurses and midwives have woken up this morning to find their pay packets contain their second pay rise since the LNP Government was elected just over a year ago.

For the average nurse (Grade 5.7) that means they are now receiving an extra $170 per fortnight  than before the change of government.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said this morning’s pay rise of 3% was the second since he signed the EB8 pay agreement in his first month as Health Minister.

The Queensland Nurses Union has also championed the pay conditions under the LNP government saying the EB8 agreement “keeps Queensland Health nurses and midwives amongst the highest paid in the country”. In a ballot of nurse union members, 94% endorsed the LNP Governments wage agreement.

Mr Springborg said an extra $2.8 million went through Queensland’s Health’s payroll last night simply to deliver on this fortnight’s pay increase.

“The LNP doesn’t view this as a cost. Rather, we view it as an investment in our workforce and an investment in caring for the sick,” Mr Springborg said.

“It’s a part of the great state with great opportunity vision being driven by the Newman Government.”

Mr Springborg said this morning’s second pay increase for nurses and midwives was a far cry from the trauma faced by health workers under the previous government when many didn’t even get paid at all thanks to the previous government’s payroll debacle.

“Not only are our nurses and midwives actually getting paid today, but they are getting paid six per cent more than under the Labor Government,” he said.

Fast Facts:

·       Number of nurses and midwives in Queensland health = 32,700

·       Total cost of [nurses and midwives] EB8 agreement over three years = $592 million

·       Average Nurse (Grade 5.7) received $2794.10 per fortnight under Labor; today they will receive $2964.20 per fortnight which equals a $170 increase per fortnight, or $4438 per annum, since the change of government

·       The next pay increase for nurses and midwives will occur in April 2014

·       There are twelve grades of nursing and midwifery employees, and 50 different pay levels.

[ENDS] 24 April 2013

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284