❓ Mr Board questions the Minister for Health on delays to nurse practitioner legislation, citing nurses leaving WA. The Minister denies nurses are leaving due to the delay, explains the reason for the delay, and assures the legislation is progressing.
AnsweredQoN 923Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Before I ask my question, I also acknowledge the people with disabilities and their families who have joined us in the public gallery today. I particularly acknowledge the Franklins, who are the parents of my adopted daughter under the “adopt a politician” scheme. I know that many politicians in this House are part of that scheme. I refer to the minister’s statement in the House on 23 October, when he said - . . . I was pleased to announce the Government’s intention to progress legislation on nurse practitioners. (1) Is the minister aware that highly qualified nurses are leaving Western Australia as a result of this Government’s failure to introduce that legislation? (2) Why has the Government delayed this legislation when a comprehensive report on the issue strongly recommended it? (3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA
AnswerView source ↗
(1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
I refer to the minister’s statement in the House on 23 October, when he said - . . . I was pleased to announce the Government’s intention to progress legislation on nurse practitioners. (1) Is the minister aware that highly qualified nurses are leaving Western Australia as a result of this Government’s failure to introduce that legislation? (2) Why has the Government delayed this legislation when a comprehensive report on the issue strongly recommended it? (3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(2) Why has the Government delayed this legislation when a comprehensive report on the issue strongly recommended it? (3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
I refer to the minister’s statement in the House on 23 October, when he said - . . . I was pleased to announce the Government’s intention to progress legislation on nurse practitioners. (1) Is the minister aware that highly qualified nurses are leaving Western Australia as a result of this Government’s failure to introduce that legislation? (2) Why has the Government delayed this legislation when a comprehensive report on the issue strongly recommended it? (3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(2) Why has the Government delayed this legislation when a comprehensive report on the issue strongly recommended it? (3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(3) Given that the minister has promised to introduce the legislation as a matter of priority, why has he not done so and when will it be before the House? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
Mr KUCERA replied: (1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(1) I am not sure where the member for Murdoch gets his information from, other than the newspapers. The reality is that our nursing work force has dramatically increased this year. There has been no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that nurses are leaving this State because of the nurse practitioner legislation. In that regard, the question is nonsense. I will be happy at any time to give the member for Murdoch the number of nurse recruitments. I have repeated that consistently in this House over the past couple of months. (2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
(2)-(3) As I said earlier this week, I received a report late last year. The report was very restrictive and referred only to areas of remote and rural communities. The reality is that there is an urgent need for this legislation right across Western Australia, not just in rural and remote community areas, so I sent the legislation back for further drafting. I have now received draft three of that legislation. I understand from the Attorney General that it has received an AA rating. Once the draft of that legislation has been considered and completed, as with all legislation, it will appear in this House. I take the opportunity to ask the Opposition to support this legislation. It is very important. I thank the member for Murdoch for stressing its importance. However, it is also important that it apply to all nurses and all nursing areas in this State. There is no hold-up. The Government is not dragging its feet. We are making sure that this legislation suits the needs of all Western Australians.
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