'Lack of respect': Canberra nurses and midwives threaten industrial action

Nurses and midwives are threatening industrial action over pay and conditions, potentially leading to services being disrupted at Canberra's public hospitals and clinics.

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Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT brancy secretary Carlyn Fidow. Picture by Keegan Carroll

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation this week passed a resolution condemning the government's response to the federation's most recent log of claims.

"There's still no better pay offer. It's demoralising and shows the lack of respect this government has for our nurses and midwives,'' ANMF ACT branch secretary Carlyn Fidow said in a message to members.

"The ACT government must genuinely consider what we put forward and give clear, substantive reasons for its decisions, and it has not done this."

The government is continuing to offer public sector workers a 3 per cent pay rise each year for three years and a special $600 payment if inflation reaches 3.5 per cent in the second and third years.

The federation is seeking an independent review of the undervaluation of work historically performed by women, a guarantee that staffing levels in community and outpatient services will be maintained and binding commitments about workforce planning.

"Our workplace delegates and branch council passed an extraordinary resolution, which condemns the ACT government's failure to genuinely engage with us, and makes clear that members take protected action if the government fails to move," Ms Fidow said.

"As a result, we're calling an urgent branch leaders meeting next week with all public sector workplace delegates and branch councillors to determine our next steps and how we're going to move forward."

Public school staff at a protest rally in June 2026. Picture by Karleen Minney

The ANMF took part in six "interest-based bargaining" sessions with government negotiators where the two sides looked at existing issues and tried to find solutions.

A Canberra Health Services spokesperson said the ACT government had been actively engaging with the ANMF and employee representatives since September 2025 through an extensive program of negotiations and discussions.

"Negotiations remain ongoing and the Government will continue to engage with the ANMF as they consider the proposed government offer," the spokesperson said.

"The ACT government remains committed to reaching an agreement that demonstrates our shared commitment to growing, supporting and retaining a highly skilled nursing and midwifery workforce across the ACT public health system."

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