Queensland nurses and midwives have been granted their fourth pay-rise since the election of the Newman LNP Government, making them overall about 12% better off than they were under Labor.
In a letter to local Queensland Health nurses and midwives today, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg wrote: “As a part of our strong plan for your profession, you will receive a 2.2% wage increase from 1 April 2015.”
The increase comes on top of a $500 boost to annual base salaries as part of the 2012 EB8 agreement, due on March 31, 2015. As a result a Grade 5 nurse at pay point 5 will earn an equivalent wage increase of 2.89% in 2015.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, said the increase would ensure nurses and midwives were not disadvantaged by an extension of time provided to complete the modernisation of the Nurses and Midwives’ award (this extension, to the second half of 2015, was granted by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in response to concerns expressed by the Queensland Nurses Union).
“This is strong recognition of the value this government places on the frontline profession of nursing and midwifery,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Queensland Government didn’t want this delay, advocated by the QNU, to leave nurses and midwives in limbo. This is why the Minister has taken this opportunity to write to directly to Queensland Health staff to provide them certainty.
Deb said the 2.2% wage increase was consistent with increases received by other Queensland Health employees in similar circumstances. Enterprise bargaining would follow the award modernisation process and would determine whether benefits and entitlements beyond 2.2% would apply.
A copy of the letter emailed out today to all Queensland Health nurses and midwives is attached.
Fast Facts:
Under the LNP Government’s strong plan to revitalise frontline services nurses and midwives receive pay increases over the 2012-2015 period as follows:
In 2015, in addition to a $500 increase to annual base wages from 31 March 2015 as part of the current EB8 nurses and midwives will receive a further 2.2% wage increase from 1 April 2015.
How many nurses and midwives does this announcement benefit?
FAQ’s are now available on the www.qld.gov.au/gettingbetter website.
Paddle craft and fishing enthusiasts can now benefit from improved access to Lake Somerset via a new launch point at the northern end of the lake.
State Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington today officially opened the new northern access point, which includes a boat ramp, trailer and vehicle car parks, and toilet facility.
“The Queensland Government has a strong plan to grow tourism and through the establishment of recreation opportunities in the Somerset region, we are helping to deliver on this commitment,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The new access point, located off Westvale Road, is suitable for boats and paddle craft, providing recreation users with an additional entry to what is already a popular location for water activities.
“This will have the added benefit of easing congestion at Lake Somerset boat ramps, ensuring more efficient and safer access to the lake.”
Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said the new northern access point at Lake Somerset was an outcome of Seqwater’s Recreation Review, the most significant consultation ever undertaken on the future of recreation in and around South East Queensland lakes.
The facility is a result of collaboration between Seqwater, the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, Somerset Regional Council and the community.
“This has been a great team effort – one which is making South East Queensland an even better place to live,” Mr McArdle said.
“The additional access point for the northern reaches of the lake is ideal for the more passive recreational pursuits.
“It is located within the 6 knot speed limit area, among the standing timber, making it an excellent fishing spot and one that should be very well utilised.”
The 6 knot speed limit for a northern section of Lake Somerset was implemented earlier this month following community feedback to the recreation review.
The limit was established due to the safety risks posed by submerged hazards. Signage advising of the speed limit, which has been endorsed by Maritime Safety Queensland, is now installed in impacted areas.
National Parks and Recreation Minister Steve Dickson said the new northern access point for Lake Somerset would boost recreational opportunities in the area and deliver on the election promise to grow tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy.
“This will encourage people to further explore and utilise this wonderful part of the Somerset region,” Mr Dickson said.
“Physical activity such as paddling is a great way for people to interact with each other and stay healthy.
“I am pleased to deliver this beneficial outcome for the community.”
Permits are required for boating and fishing on Lake Somerset, with further information available online at www.seqwater.com.au.
The Lake Somerset Recreation Guide is available at www.seqwater.com.au/recreation.
ENDS…
About Seqwater
Seqwater ensures a safe, secure and reliable bulk drinking water supply for more than three million people across South East Queensland, and supplies water for irrigation to about 1,200 rural customers. Seqwater also provides essential flood mitigation services and manages popular lake recreational areas visited by more than two million people each year. The organisation is one of Australia’s largest water businesses, with operations extending from the New South Wales border to the base of the Toowoomba ranges and north to Gympie.
Photo: Officially opening the northern access to Somerset Dam is Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Mayor Graeme Lehmann and Deputy Mayor Dan Hall.
Local residents are being encouraged to get ready for the positive impacts of the National Disability Insurance Scheme during Disability Action Week, held 14 to 20 September 2014.
Member for Nanango, Mrs Deb Frecklington said there were plenty of fun and accessible activities planned during the week.
“Disability Action Week is all about empowering people with a disability,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Importantly, this year’s Disability Action Week will also be a time for all Queenslanders to consider how they can help to prepare for the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme from 1 July 2016.
“We want everyone to think about the actions they can take to build a more inclusive community and be part of a future full of possibilities.”
Disability Services Minister Tracy Davis said Queensland’s preparations for the transition to the NDIS would be a focal point during Disability Action Week.
“The Queensland Government is working to prepare people with a disability, their families and carers, and the disability sector for a seamless transition to the NDIS,” Ms Davis said.
“Our state is on track for the scheme’s rollout, and we have a number of initiatives already underway to get Queenslanders ready.
“One of these initiatives is the self-direction program Your Life Your Choice, which has almost 1200 participants who have signed up to exercise greater choice and control over their disability supports.
More information about Queensland’s transition to the NDIS is available at: www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability
For more information on Disability Action Week, including a calendar of events, go to www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/community-involvement/disability-action-week
A South Burnett Child Safety Service Centre officer has been recognised with a Child Protection Week Award for his work in making Queensland a safer place to raise a child.
Child Safety Minister Tracy Davis MP said Matthew Armstrong had won the Professional (government) Award, presented at the ceremony which marked the launch of Child Protection Week.
"The Child Protection Week Awards shine a light on Queensland’s unsung child protection heroes – the people and organisations who work hard to protect vulnerable children and young people from abuse and neglect," Ms Davis said.
"The Queensland Government is proud to recognise people like Matthew, who work hard to ensure that Queensland is the safest place to work, live and raise a family.
"Our strong plan for a brighter future includes revitalising frontline child protection services and implementing landmark reforms, which are aimed at keeping families together."
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington MP said the work Matthew had done over the past two years has been invaluable to the local community.
"Matthew is currently developing a support program for young people leaving out-of-home care," Ms Frecklington said.
"He previously assisted in designing Tranzitions, a hugely successful program in South Burnett to help young people in care transition to independence."
Winners of the other eight awards were:
Child Protection Week, which this year is held from 7 to 13 September, is coordinated in Queensland by the Child Protection Week Committee, comprising representatives from government and non-government agencies concerned with child protection issues.
For more information about the week, visit www.childprotectionweek.org.au.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says it is now easier for families to move between buildings at the Nanango Hospital now that walkway upgrades have been completed.
Mrs Frecklington said more than $380,000 of construction works had been carried out including the replacement of an external covered walkway, resealing the car park and upgrading the outdoor seating area for patients.
“The new concrete-based walkway, which links the main hospital building to the administration building, replaced a disability access ramp and will make it easier for people to use,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“New lighting and stormwater drainage was installed along the walkway and part of the walkway has been enclosed along a section which is susceptible to strong westerly winds.
“Substantial landscaping works are due for completion at the end of August to improve the outdoor amenities for patients with a refurbished pergola and a new three-tier retaining wall.”
Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander said the work delivered on the Queensland Government’s election promise to provide better infrastructure and planning.
“These works will provide easier access to the hospital and a more pleasant environment for patients and staff,” Mr Mander said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has announced that the Kilcoy Hospital will receive $900,000 in funding from the State Government to upgrade hospital facilities.
Mrs Frecklington said the funding will be a great boost for the Kilcoy community and staff and patients of the Kilcoy Hospital, and is just the first phase in an enhancement plan to upgrade existing inpatient and specialist outpatient services at the Hospital.
"As part of the refurbishment, the old maternity wing will be modernised to cater for planned new health services," Mrs Frecklington said.
"Planning is in the early stages for the infrastructure enhancements, which could include a new oral health treatment room, a day infusion room for low dose chemotherapy and a new procedure room for situations such as emergency births, lacerations and shoulder dislocations," she said.
"Further work is also underway to increase capacity onsite, as well as allow for the opportunity to expand the use of telehealth services at Kilcoy Hospital", she said.
Kilcoy Hospital is currently using teleconferencing to deliver a range of specialist outpatient appointments that occur in Brisbane, Redcliffe, and Caboolture, including appointments for local residents at the Redcliffe Hospital’s Fracture Clinic.
"Demand for health services continues to grow across rural and remote areas of the state, and so does the need to enhance health services and facilities which meet local and wider community needs," she said.
"This funding will make a great difference to Kilcoy Hospital’s capacity to deliver safe, family-centred care to patients and will improve local access to specialist inpatient and outpatient services.
The refurbishment is anticipated to commence in late 2014 following a tender process.
Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board Chair, Dr Paul Alexander said the funding would ensure that Kilcoy Hospital and Metro North Hospital and Health Service would continue to deliver quality health services across the region.
"It is important that our patients have access to a very high level of care, no matter what hospital they visit or where they live in the Metro North region," he said.
