Showdown threatens to erupt over public servant pay rises to avoid inciting fury among teachers, nurses, cops

The state government’s blanket wage increase offer has been met with anger from the Queensland Police Union, prompting revelations that could risk negotiations for teachers and nurses.

Minister for Police Dan Purdie. Picture: Liam Kidston

• Qld public servants: Timeline of battles

A cabinet showdown threatens to erupt over public servant pay rises as ministers battle to outdo each other and avoid inciting fury among nurses, teachers and police officers.

The state government has issued a blanket wage offer to public servants of 3 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027.

It was met with anger from the Queensland Police Union, prompting Police Minister Dan Purdie to reveal he would advocate for police during the process.

Striking a higher pay rise deal directly with police could put at risk separate state government negotiations with teachers and nurses.

Mr Purdie said he was willing “in good faith” to talk with unions that represent police officers.

“I know the sacrifices that our police make on the frontline, and I know the work that they do and the risks they take, and I will be advocating for them during this process to make sure that pay is taken into account,” he said.

“I’ll individually be talking to police and hearing from them about what they might need and collectively, will be negotiating in good faith with the union, the police union, the commissioned officers’ union, and the union represents the staff.”

Jacqueline King, general secretary of Queensland Council of Unions. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Asked if teaching and nursing unions risked being overlooked if he directly negotiated, Mr Purdie said he should focus on his portfolio and the workers he represented.

Queensland Council of Unions secretary Jacqueline King said unions were pursuing a continuation of the central wage policy, which would apply a blanket wage increase to all workers.

Ms King warned against Minister’s stepping outside of the policy to negotiate higher wages for workers.

“The central wage policy ensures the same increase is applied to everyone for exactly this reason, so they don’t play games,” she said.

“If they do, they’re (government) in for a long period of protected industrial action from the sector, we don’t want that.

Ms King said any change in policy should be communicated to the QCU and individual unions.

Queensland Health and the Education Department have been negotiating with unions over enterprise bargaining agreements, but the ministers have kept themselves at a distance.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said his department held discussions in recent weeks about agreements, and he was being kept informed of their progress and the issues being raised.

“I look forward to reaching an agreement that benefits all employees within our education system,” Mr Langbroek said.

A spokesman for Health Minister Tim Nicholls said negotiations were happening between Queensland Health and the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to being an employer of choice and maintaining nation leading wages and conditions for Queensland’s Nurses and Midwives,” the spokesman said.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union wage contracts are due to expire at the end of March, meaning the government would need to reach a new agreement by the end of April.

The Police Union contract expires in June.

The current offer includes a 3 per cent increase in 2025, 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2.5 per cent in 2027, with a capped inflation adjustment mechanism of 0.5 per cent in 2025 and 1 per cent in 2026 and 2027.

Minister for Health Tim Nicholls at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Picture: Lachie Millard

Originally published as Showdown threatens to erupt over public servant pay rises to avoid inciting fury among teachers, nurses, cops