Ousted WA nurses’ union boss vows not to contest ruling, calls for peace after internal ‘soap opera’

Ousted Western Australian nursing union boss Mark Olson has vowed not to contest the industrial watchdog ruling against him while calling for an end to the “soap opera-like” internal feud that led to his removal.

In a decision handed down on Thursday, the industrial watchdog ruled to have Olson removed as state secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation under interim orders sought by council vice-president Romina Raschilla as part of a broader ongoing stoush.

Former ANF WA chief executive Mark Olson.Credit: AAP

Olson returned to the role on August 30 following the shock resignation of former secretary Janet Reah, two years after he had been promoted from state secretary to chief executive — a role he held for 12 months.

But Raschilla insisted he had not met two-year membership requirement, sparking an eligibility challenge that unearthed claims of nepotism, workplace bullying and unchecked spending.

Raschilla’s evidence included allegations of bullying and harassment against Olson between 2021 and 2022 which led to regulatory action she claims was not communicated to the council.

She alleged Olson had proposed to spend $3 million on a campaign ahead of the EBA negotiations in September but refused to produce a business plan and allow for proper council oversight.

Raschilla also accused him of nepotism for his wife being employed at the ANF.

During a press conference on Thursday, Olson — who indicated he was aware his leadership would be challenged — confirmed he would formally step down from the role on Friday and would not appeal the ruling.

He branded WorkSafe improvement notices a “political tool” and urged the regulator to spend more time concerned about the workload issues its 40,000 members were grappling with.

Olson rejected criticism of its conduct as far as the campaign fund was concerned, labelling the criticism “ignorant”.

He rejected any assertion the leadership challenge had left the union in strife or that it had detracted from addressing issues plaguing the state’s hospital system, and branded nepotism claims “mud-slinging”.

“We’ve got online education, a second-to-none legal service, we’ve got 100 holiday units that we own, we don’t owe any money, we are cashed up, we can run campaigns,” he said.

“If you throw enough mud. Nothing has ever been proven.”

He compared the ongoing stoush plaguing the council to a “soap opera” and said he hoped the council elected a candidate capable of bringing the council together and healing wounds that had seen the union in the headlines for “all the wrong reasons”.

Olson, who fronted the cameras alongside his wife and child, said he intended to write to the union’s president on Friday requesting to be reclassified a retired member, precluding him from being able to run for office.

“We seem to be in and out of the commission, and that needs to stop,” he said.

“I accept that I may be a polarising figure, but I have delivered outcomes for members, I can’t be bought, and both sides of politics don’t like me very much.

“When you do this for so long, 26 years, you’re going to pick up some barnacles along the way.

“I’m hoping that with my departure, we also see the departure of all the garbage that’s been out there.”

Olson said he had achieved what he set out to over the past six weeks, drafting a log of claims and ensuring the public sector negotiations were on track and would ensure a proper hand over with his successor.

The council is expected to meet on Monday to appoint a replacement.

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