Nurses, midwives, and care workers are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing essential care in hospitals, aged care facilities, and communities. However, to ensure that Tasmanians receive timely and effective healthcare, we need strong policies that support our members and the community. The following ANMF Tasmanian Branch key priorities have been sent to all Tasmanian Federal Election candidates:

1. Establishing Three Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics in Rural and Remote Areas in Tasmania – Many Tasmanians in rural and remote areas experience difficulty accessing healthcare. Nurse Practitioner-led clinics can improve access, reduce wait times, and ensure timely interventions for those in need.
2. Supporting Nurses and Nurse Practitioners to Work Autonomously in Medicare Urgent Care Centres – To maximise efficiency and patient care, nurses and nurse practitioners should be enabled to work autonomously within these centres, utilising their full scope of practice to provide timely and essential healthcare services.
3. Granting Bulk Billing Rights to Nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners – Extending bulk billing rights would improve access to affordable healthcare and reduce pressure on general practitioners and emergency departments.
4. Co-Funding State Community Nursing Services That Achieve Hospital Avoidance – Investing in programs such as community dementia teams, community rapid response services, and hospital-in-the-home initiatives would help reduce hospital admissions and improve patient outcomes.
5. Increasing the Health Reform Funding Agreement to 50% to Fund Tasmanian Public Hospitals to Meet Demand – Tasmania’s healthcare system is under immense pressure. A fairer funding agreement is critical to ensuring public hospitals can meet the growing needs of the community.
6. Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Aged Care – Mandated Care Minutes in Residential Aged Care is a valuable safeguard for safe and quality of care. Enshrining reporting in the Aged Care Act and sanctions for providers who fail to meet the mandated care minutes will ensure security for vulnerable aged care residents.

The candidates have been invited to respond with their support of these critical issues. As responses are received these will be uploaded here to help inform your voting decisions. We look forward to working together to build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system in Tasmania.

Responses received to date from the Tasmanian Federal Election Candidates:

Adam Martin – Independent Member for Braddon
View Adam’s response to the ANMF’s Key Priorities for the Upcoming Federal Election.

Ray Williams – Citizens Party
View Ray’s response to the ANMF’s Key Priorities for the Upcoming Federal Election.

Michael Phibbs – Australian Citizens Party Member for Lyons
I fully support the six key priorities that you have put forward and will do my best to make these a reality. The Australian Citizens Party has a Federal Funding model that would make possible these priorities and facilitate a health care system that is able to perform at the highest level. The funding model that provides the required resources is the key to achieving the best results for the whole Australian community. It will also reduce the stresses for all people who are working in the Health Care sector. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the ANMF to achieve these results for our communities.

Brendan Blomeley – Independent Candidate for Franklin
With two siblings working as intensive care paramedics, I have some understanding of the many demands and pressures our front-line health care professionals face, often daily. With the growing lack of access to General Practitioners, particularly in rural and regional areas, Nurse Practitioner-led clinics, and the authority for these professionals to work autonomously in Medicare Urgent Care Centres is an excellent initiative and something I fully support. It just makes sense. Appropriate levels of Professional Indemnity Insurance would obviously be an issue and something that the clinic / employer ought to cover. Emily, I am fully supportive of all 6 key priorities outlined in your letter and if elected as the Independent Member for Franklin, be assured, I will strongly advocate on behalf of your members. If you or any ANMF Member would like to further discuss this or any other federal election-related issue, please feel free to contact me at any time on 0408 354 684. Thank you again for your advocacy and interest in my candidacy.

Lee Hanson – One Nation Candidate for the Senate
As a mother and long-time resident, I am appalled at the poor state of health service delivery in Tasmania and I am prepared to consider options that will result in meaningful improvements to services and better health outcomes. I am prepared to support – in principle – nurse practitioner clinics in regional areas; nurses and nurse practitioners with appropriate qualifications working autonomously in urgent care centres; extending bulk-billing rights to nurses and midwives in appropriate settings and circumstances; Federal funding for community nursing services that demonstrate reductions in demand for hospital emergency departments and general practitioners; more general funding for Tasmania’s health system (albeit targeted to areas of greatest need; and most definitely measures such as mandated care minutes to ensure quality aged care. I consider that extending the scope of roles for appropriately qualified nurses can contribute to improved services and if I am elected, I will seek to explore these options with you in greater detail so I may advocate for better health outcomes for all Tasmanians.

Matthew Owen – Legalise Cannabis Party Member
View Matthew’s response to the ANMF’s Key Priorities for the Upcoming Federal Election.

Authorised by ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd, April 2025.