Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett has called on local Nurses Union reps and the community to join with him to oppose Federal Government funding health cuts.
“An e-petition has been launched by the Member for Thuringowa Mr Sam Cox MP, which highlights my concerns about the impact of these cuts on our local community, and I strongly urge people to sign the e-petition and make their voice heard.
“In particular, it’s time for our local Nurses Union and Together Union reps to stand up to the Federal Government and voice their opposition to the $103m of funding cuts which were imposed on Queensland late last year”, Mr Bennett said.
Mr Bennett said the petition could be accessed at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions
“It is a bit hard to believe the senior levels of these unions can claim Federal funding cuts will have no impact when State Health Ministers of all political persuasions [Liberal – National and Labor] actually jointly criticised these cuts at a meeting of Australian Health Ministers late last year.”
“I am urging local unionists and members of the broader community to join with me in fighting these health funding cuts.
“The very same Wayne Swan who knifed former Labor PM and fellow Queenslander Kevin Rudd in the back, is now knifing each and every Queenslander as he slashes $103mn out of our local health services across Queensland.” Mr Bennett said.
“Wayne Swan seems to think his desperate attempt to slash funds late last year in his now aborted attempt to produce a surplus has no effect – but these cuts are having a profound impact on the capacity of local Hospital and Health Service Board to meet their Budget.
I sincerely hope local union delegates, such as Donna Webster and Vicky Smyth will actually stand up for local workers and the local community.
By signing this petition Donna Webster and Vicky Smyth can show the local union is interested in protecting local jobs – not the jobs of Labor politicians.
“To date it would appear the jobs of Labor politicians are first and foremost in the minds of senior levels of the QNU at present – which is hardly surprising when you consider some senior QNU operatives are in fact former State Labor politicians.” Mr Bennett said