WA nurses party touts broad policy platform

The newly minted Nurses and Midwives WA party will take a wide-ranging policy agenda to the state election likely to encompass housing, crime and road safety, in an effort to ensure it isn’t seen as a single-issue party.

Speaking to media on Monday ahead of taking a 500-plus roll of signatures to the Western Australian Electoral Commission, Australian Nursing Federation secretary Janet Reah revealed four people had already shown interest in running for union-backed party.

Ms Reah said the party would campaign on issues that impacted everyone in Western Australia.

“Nurses and midwives treat victims of crime, midwives frequently have to be mindful of domestic violence situations, nurses all over the state will tell you about the times they have nursed people who have been injured in the process of crime being committed against them,” she said.

“The union has a lot of funds and we are going to be using them to finance the party; it is in our constitution that we will better nurses and midwives.

“We are very confident we will get at least one seat. If we get more than two, we will be thrilled.”

The party’s draft constitution stipulates membership is free and open to everyone over the age of 16.

Candidates, however, must be registered or enrolled nurses or midwives, and be members of of both the Australian Nursing Federation and the party.

Under rules set out for candidates, those vying for election would have to seek permission from the party’s secretary to speak to media on “certain issues”.

The party’s stated objective under its constitution is to advocate for policies to enhance public health and represent the interests of nurses, midwives, carers, and all Western Australians.

Asked which side of politics the party would be aligned to, Ms Reah said she was not sure.

“We just want to improve everything for everyone,” she said.