Gayles Law would be rolled out nationally under a Bill Shorten-led government, Labor vows

A national Gayle’s Law banning single-nurse postings in rural areas would be established if Labor wins the federal election.

• Opinion: Failing to progress law, after a year, is not nation-leading

A national Gayle’s Law banning single-nurse postings in rural areas would be established if Labor wins the federal election.

Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King told The Advertiser that a Bill Shorten-led government would institute the legislation, named after nurse Gayle Woodford, pictured, who was murdered while working in South Australia’s remote APY community of Fregon.

“Labor is committed to introducing a national Gayle’s Law,” Ms King said.

“Remote area nurses deserve to be protected and safe when they go to work.

“A Shorten Labor Government would work with states, territories and other stakeholders to make this a reality.”

Ms King said the system failed Gayle Woodford “and we must do everything we can to avoid similar tragedies in the future.”

Last year, Ms Woodford’s killer Dudley Davey was jailed for life with a non-parole term of 32 years.

At the time, the Supreme Court heard Davey had previously attacked at least five women, including two other nurses.

The murder of the 56-year-old nurse prompted calls for greater legal protection for remote health workers.

Gayle and Keith Woodford. Picture: Supplied by family

South Australia established a state-based Gayle’s Law in December last year.

However, as revealed by the Sunday Mail earlier this month, the laws are yet be rubber-stamped, frustrating Ms Woodford’s family.

In a statement to The Advertiser, the Woodford family welcomed Ms King’s commitment.

“It is heartening for our family to hear that the federal Labor Party is taking the safety of every rural remote nurse and healthcare worker seriously, by promising to implement the law throughout every state and territory in Australia,” the statement said.

“We express our urgency in getting Gayle’s Law adopted as soon as possible.

“Our rural and remote healthcare workers across Australia are still working in unsafe conditions and are still at great risk.

“We want Gayle’s legacy to be a new standard of safety, designed to protect all of our wonderful dedicated remote healthcare workers in the future.

State Health Minister Stephen Wade is engaging with stakeholders about how to implement Gayle’s Law in South Australia.

Originally published as Gayles Law would be rolled out nationally under a Bill Shorten-led government, Labor vows