❓ A parliamentary question regarding delays in resolving new conditions for WA nurses, specifically concerning salary and negotiation processes compared to other states. The Minister responds by outlining the government's commitment to collective bargaining and providing salary benchmarks.
AnsweredQoN 514Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Some notice has been given of the pertinent parts of this question. I refer to the unacceptable delay in resolving new conditions for Western Australian nurses, which of course resulted in Tuesday’s protest rally at Parliament House, and to the minister’s advice to the House on Tuesday that the Australian Nursing Federation had concluded negotiations in just about every other State. (1) Is the minister aware that, in the other States, negotiations started after the ANF had made an ambit claim and after each respective Government had responded with a clear, specific and comprehensive offer setting out exactly what the Government proposed to pay nurses, how it would deal with their workloads, and the other conditions that it would include to attract and retain nurses? (2) Under the offer of the minister’s Government to WA nurses, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse at entry level on 2 May 2005? (3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(1) Is the minister aware that, in the other States, negotiations started after the ANF had made an ambit claim and after each respective Government had responded with a clear, specific and comprehensive offer setting out exactly what the Government proposed to pay nurses, how it would deal with their workloads, and the other conditions that it would include to attract and retain nurses? (2) Under the offer of the minister’s Government to WA nurses, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse at entry level on 2 May 2005? (3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(2) Under the offer of the minister’s Government to WA nurses, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse at entry level on 2 May 2005? (3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(1) Is the minister aware that, in the other States, negotiations started after the ANF had made an ambit claim and after each respective Government had responded with a clear, specific and comprehensive offer setting out exactly what the Government proposed to pay nurses, how it would deal with their workloads, and the other conditions that it would include to attract and retain nurses? (2) Under the offer of the minister’s Government to WA nurses, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse at entry level on 2 May 2005? (3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(2) Under the offer of the minister’s Government to WA nurses, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse at entry level on 2 May 2005? (3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(3) Under the offer of the minister’s Government, what would be the annual salary for a registered nurse with four years experience on 2 May 2005? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
(1)-(3) One of the great differences between the Labor Government and the Opposition is our commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of unions to be able to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members, as distinct from those people who seek to resolve these matters by way of individual agreements. Our approach collectively on behalf of all nurses in Western Australia would have this end result: the commencement rate for a registered nurse at entry level would be at least $39 822, which would be marginally behind the rate in New South Wales on 2 May 2005 - the New South Wales rate would then be $39 900. However, it would be ahead of all the other States, which would have the following rates: Victoria, $37 388; South Australia, $38 469; Tasmania, $38 048; and Queensland, $38 213. I mention that that would be a minimum of $39 822, because the precise amount would need to be negotiated and agreed between the parties or arbitrated. The government view is that nurses in Western Australia should be among the highest paid in Australia, and the rate of pay should give effect to that principle. It is possible to be specific about the benchmark classifications for nurses, which are comparable with those of their interstate counterparts. The non-benchmark rates within a scale, such as for a fourth year level 1 nurse, may not be directly comparable with the other States, and would therefore be subject to a negotiated settlement, perhaps within existing relativities. However, at the high end of the benchmark classification scale, registered nurse level 2 maximum, the government offer would provide a salary of at least $58 139. This is again marginally behind the New South Wales rate, which is $58 323, but ahead of the rate in all of the other States, which would then be: Victoria, $53 580; South Australia, $56 464; Tasmania, $56 449; and Queensland, $56 079. These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
These increases are comparable with increases for all other health professionals, who will receive a further 3.5 per cent increase in January 2005. Approximately 80 per cent of all nurses are employed as level 1 or level 2 nurses.
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