Union and Liberals’ war of words as Victorian healthcare workers to get $3000 bonus

A war of words has erupted between two healthcare power players after workers were offered a $3000 “thank you” bonus.

A war of words has erupted between Victoria’s Opposition Health Minister and the state’s nurse union secretary over the condition of the embattled healthcare system.

Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick took the first jab on Thursday morning after Premier Daniel Andrews announced healthcare workers would be eligible for a $3000 bonus ahead of winter.

Liberal Georgie Crozier had previously asked “why would any nurse want to come and work in Victoria?” which Ms Fitzparick said union members saw as “an insult”.

“This is the opposition that in 2011 and 2012 had a very cunning plan … about abolishing and substituting thousands and thousands of nurses and midwives across our state,” Ms Fitzparick said.

“Imagine if (the Liberals) had been in charge during the pandemic.

Liberal Leader Georgie Crozier has spoken out on Victoria’s healthcare system. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“They are in no position to criticise nurses and midwives because they’re the very nurses and midwives that they sought to get rid of out of the system when they were in charge.”

However, Ms Crozier, who is a former nurse, bit back, calling the commentary “factually incorrect and insulting”.

“I am a proud former nurse and midwife with almost two decades of clinical experience,” she said.

“I have always supported frontline health workers who do their best despite the failings of the Andrews Labor government. Even before the pandemic, the funding the Andrews Labor government provided Victorian hospitals was the lowest in the nation.

“The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will always support healthcare workers with a system that works, not the dysfunctional, failing system the Andrews Labor government has provided.”

It comes as thousands of Victorian healthcare workers will be eligible for a $3000 bonus as part of a mammoth new scheme.

Premier Daniel Andrews said staff are the sector’s ‘greatest asset’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Andrews made the announcement on Thursday morning acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead during winter.

“This is all about encouraging people to take up shifts, if they can to go from being part-time to maybe working some further hours,” he said.

“It’s also about bringing people back into the system who might have been out of the system for a period of time.

“People are our health system’s greatest asset and this is just one way for us to recognise and support their efforts and ensure nurses, doctors, paramedics, allied health and support staff are there when we need them most.”

The $353 million package will offer payments of $3000 to all staff working in public hospitals and ambulance services across the state.

This will include midwives, doctors, allied health professionals, nurses, paramedics, ward clerks and patient service assistants.

Other non-clinical staff will also be able to benefit from the payment including those working in cleaning, food and laundry services.

To be eligible for the full package, workers will need to be employed by a public health service by July 1 and still be employed by September 30.

Susan Harding, Royal Melbourne Hospital Nurse Unit Manager, said nurses were still under pressure. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Those working in private healthcare will not be eligible.

The first $1500 will be paid on August 15 and the second half of the payment will be received by workers at the end of September.

Staff who start between July 1 and September 30 will be eligible for a pro-rata payment, aimed to provide an incentive to attract workers to the sector.

Free meals will also be available for staff who take up night shifts.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the healthcare system has not yet – and may never – fully “bounce back” from pandemic-induced pressures.

“To acknowledge the pressure they have been under for two years and will continue to be under for months and months to come,’’ she said.

“No system can be business as usual when you take 1000 staff out every single day.’’