Nurses union breaks from the Australian Labor party

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDSep 20 2010

The Queensland Nurses Union’s (QNU) association with the Labor party will not be renewed when it expires next year. Acting Premier Paul Lucas however feels it is not politically damaging. “I'm obviously disappointed that they're not renewing their affiliation but we deal with all sorts of unions whether they're affiliated or not,” he said. The decision however could cost the ALP $50,000 a year. QNU on the other hand feels that this break would give them more political flexibility.

QNU state secretary Gay Hawksworth believes Labor has better industrial relations policies than the Liberal National Party (LNP). “We're still a trade union and I don't think there'd be any surprise to anybody,” she said. She recalled the payroll bungle and said that after the debacle it was difficult to go on with the Labor party. “The reaction from our members certainly over the payroll dispute would have made it increasingly difficult,” she said. Mr. Lucas however has assured that the State Government will still work with the QNU. “They took this decision in February - long before payroll and other issues,” he said. Mr. Lucas said, “In other states they aren't affiliated with the Labor party - I can understand that they have reasons for that…While I'm disappointed with that, it was a decision they took some time ago…We'll continue to work very closely with them - I think they're a great union.”

Speaking on the freedom that this break provides Ms Hawksworth said, “It means that we will lobby other politicians - we don't know what that means just yet but it just gives us that flexibility…We've certainly always talked to politicians from other parties at times and we'll certainly continue to do that…We'll probably talk to individual politicians in the future more than we have in the past.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg feels things would remain the same, “It's yet to be seen whether this is going to seriously change the way the nurses' union operates against the Labor government…Certainly it's not before time and the LNP will believe it when we see it…They've got a lot of atoning for their particular sins in supporting and featherbedding and financing the Labor party.”