❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health regarding nurses' pay increases and workplace safety. Dr. Hames defends the government's position, citing existing protections and negotiated pay rises.
AnsweredQoN 266Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NURSES — PAY INCREASE
The minister failed to protect nurses from assault in their workplace and now he has failed to secure any prospect of a decent pay rise for Western Australia’s nurses in coming years. (1) Why does the minister believe that nurses do not deserve a pay increase similar to those given to other core service employees? (2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES
The minister failed to protect nurses from assault in their workplace and now he has failed to secure any prospect of a decent pay rise for Western Australia’s nurses in coming years. (1) Why does the minister believe that nurses do not deserve a pay increase similar to those given to other core service employees? (2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(1) Why does the minister believe that nurses do not deserve a pay increase similar to those given to other core service employees? (2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(1) Why does the minister believe that nurses do not deserve a pay increase similar to those given to other core service employees? (2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(2) When was the minister first made aware that nurses would not be eligible to receive similar pay deals to those granted to teachers and police? (3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(3) How hard did the minister fight to ensure that nurses receive the same treatment as teachers and police? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
(1)-(3) The premise that the member starts from, on the issue of protecting nurses from assaults, is obviously wrong in the first place. Nurses are protected — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Nurses are protected from assault by legislation that the opposition’s Attorney General brought in — Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Kwinana! Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Fourteen years jail for assaulting a nurse—14 years! Therefore, we do protect nurses, and we believe they require and are getting proper protection as a result of legislation that pre-dates the member, who came down in the last shower. The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The other issue is the pay rise. The nurses’ pay rise was negotiated last year. Nurses got a very reasonable pay rise, in my view, in their last round of negotiations. It took a long time; I think the Australian Nursing Federation leader would not speak to the then honourable minister for some 12 months, or at least the minister would not speak to the ANF because of the campaign that the nurses waged against the previous government because it would not give them a decent pay rise when the debate came around. They were fighting and fighting with the previous government. They had a direct route to my door because members opposite ignored them. I was the only one who would talk to the ANF — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Joondalup! Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : — because the member’s mob would not. That agreement goes through until the middle of next year—not next week, but the middle of next year. There is a component in it that allows, in the middle of this year, comparison with the pay in other states, but that is not the issue to do with what was announced by the Treasurer as the government decision. If members read what was in that paper showing what that pay rise is, they will recognise that there are two components. One component deals with an increase in inflation at a core level that keeps nurses equal to anyone else in the system, so that they are not getting less than every other department. Every department will get the same increase, which will recognise the rate of inflation. There will be an additional component that allows for negotiation based on productivity, so improvements in productivity — Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Up to what limit? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I will have to ask the Treasurer. Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr T.R. Buswell : The consumer price index. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, it is a bit over nine per cent over three years, is it? Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is around four per cent a year total. Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : No — The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr T.R. Buswell : It is 8.2 to 9.3 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So I am right. Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
Dr K.D. HAMES : That figure was correct, yes. It still allows a significant figure that is above the consumer price index; therefore, it allows advances above the cost of living for those nurses, and it allows all other government departments to do the same. In this time of constraint internationally, for members opposite to suggest that any profession, including our own, should get pay increases that are above those parameters shows that they are sadly mistaken. Members opposite would send this government broke if they were still in government.
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