Explosive emails reveal unions’ ‘deep-seated control’ over Labor

The Queensland nurses union vetted internal communications for Queensland Health before it was sent to employees, advising why they shouldn’t join a rival organisation, secret emails have revealed.

Queensland Health allowed the Labor-aligned nurses union to vet its advice on why employees shouldn't join a rival rebel organisation.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Queensland Health referred an internal memo to the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) for approval before it was sent to health staff, prompting Opposition claims the government is “under the spell” of the union.

In January 2019 a memo about the newly-formed Nurses Professionals Association of Queensland (NPAQ) was prepared by Queensland Health for distribution to Hospital and Health Service chief executives.

Prior to its distribution to public servants the draft memo was sent from Queensland Health’s Employment Relations Acting Director Anne Garrahy to QNMU Industrial Officer Vonnie Semple for the union’s review.

The email exchange between Queenlsand Health and the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.

Ms Semple, in response, changes the memo to note the rival NPAQ “is not a registered employee organisation” – and it therefore has no powers to negotiate agreements or represent staff in dispute resolution.

“Thanks for the opportunity to review,” Ms Semple writes.

“I have made one suggested tracked change – just for clarity.”

The influence of unions over the Palaszczuk Government and departments was laid bare earlier this month with the release of Transport Minister Mark Bailey’s emails.

Former State Archivist Mike Summerell, in his report into Mr Bailey’s private email account, noted an instance where the government was assisting the Electrical Trades Union.

State archivist Mike Summerell.

“There is even bizarrely an email thread where the Minister and his ministerial staff are proofreading and commenting on draft ETU medias (sic) statement,” Mr Summerell noted

said.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman did not address questions about the appropriateness of the practice, but said the department aimed to create a “cooperative and collaborative work environment for our employees”.

The memo with the suggested changes from the QNMU.

“One way we achieve this is to work with our industrial partners, as defined by the Industrial Relations Act 2016,” she said.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union Secretary Beth Mohle declared it was standard practice for the government to consult with her organisation.

QLD Nurses and Midwives' Union Secretary Beth Mohle. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“On occasion, it’s not uncommon for Queensland Health to consult with key health stakeholders including the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union," she said.

“The QNMU is the state’s peak nursing and midwifery body with 67,000 members and vast frontline expertise on issues impacting Queensland health workers, patients and residents.

“When our input in sought, we provide it on behalf of our tens of thousands of members.”

Ms Mohle declared the union could continue advocating for members despite assisting their government managers.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said it was another example of the “deep-seated union control and influence” over the government.

Deputy Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“To have a former union official drafting policy to mute their competition to the detriment of their members shows how rotten this state government is,” he said.

“They are under the spell of union bosses and the big losers are Queensland workers.

“Is it any wonder rivers of gold flow from the unions to the Labor Party when they get to draft policy then tell their hand-picked ministers how to vote in cabinet?”

The Sunday-Mail asked Palaszczuk Government Ministers if they had ever been directed by a union official on how to debate and decide on an issue in cabinet.

Each Minister responded “no” or “never”.