Members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) have re-elected Lee Thomas as the union’s Federal Secretary and Sally-Anne Jones as Federal President.
Ms Thomas said the result of the national ballot was a strong endorsement of the ANMFs leadership, its achievements over the past four years and its vision for combatting the ongoing challenges that lie ahead within the country’s health and aged care sectors.
“We would like to personally thank each and every one of our members who have come out and delivered this vote of confidence in us,” Ms Thomas said today.
“As Federal Secretary over the past four years, I am proud to say that we have achieved significant growth, with our membership now standing at over 240,000 – making us one of the fastest growing unions in Australia.
“Whilst the ANMF has been successful in defeating Mr. Abbott’s flawed GP tax, there are many more campaigns that need to be run – we need to develop sustainable solutions to the important issues in health and aged care that impact on the lives of our members and their families.
“Fighting any Government attack on penalty rates, saving our universal healthcare system, improving workloads and tackling aged care staffing problems. These are the key issues you have trusted me to fight on your behalf for four more years and I will work tirelessly with Sally-Anne Jones, Annie Butler and Maree Burgess to tackle each of them at a federal level.
“Nurses and midwives deserve respect for our commitment and dedication to the sick and vulnerable, whenever and wherever they need us. This includes working shifts 24/7 – missing our families and public holidays, community activity and weekend events. We know what we give up to be there 24/7 – and we must ensure that our penalty rates are safe from any Government attack.
“Protecting our professions will be a priority over the next four years at the ANMF.
“This is my guarantee to you.”
