Latest news with #ANMF
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
New push for four-day work week and more annual leave in productivity discussion
Aussies yearning for a four-day work week could have their wish granted sooner than they think. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation have made a fresh push for shorter working hours and more annual leave in return for productivity gains. It comes in response to the Productivity Commission, which will inform the discussions at next month's economic reform roundtable. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed to The Australian he would favour reforms that had 'broad support'. Speaking to The Australian, The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union's national secretary Steve Murphy said, 'One of the ways that we can share in productivity, if we're more productive over the course of the week, is to work less hours. That would be a great outcome from a productivity discussion. 'Or (if) we were able to have more annual leave to spend our time with the people we love and care about.' Murphy believes there are multiple ways of reducing working hours without cuts to pay, such as a four day working week, a nine-day fortnight or a 35-hour week. 'Where we would like it to get is that there is a much more healthy balance between time at work and time with your family and time for leisure than what it is right now. 'Productivity can't be at the expense of the wellbeing of workers.' He also argued that a better work-life balance was more crucial than cutting income or company taxes, saying that most workers believed in the value of tax to fund government services and infrastructure. On Monday, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek joined a Sunrise panel, revealing that the government was open to listening to all views at the roundtable, though they would not be attempting to improve productivity by '(asking) people to work longer for less'. 'We want to invest in our people, boost training, invest in technologies and new ways of working, make sure that we're playing to our competitive advantages as a nation,' Plibersek revealed. 'That's how we boost productivity.' Globally, Canadian businessman and multi-millionaire Kevin O'Leary, best known for his role as one of the investors on the program Shark Tank, last month branded the idea of a four-day work week 'stupid' on an appearance on Fox News. 'There is a big push now for a four day work week, do you think we will become like the French?' one of the presenters asked. The four-day work week is becoming increasingly popular in France, with the country launching it's first official pilot of the program in 2024. In 2000, the country also legally mandated a 35-hour work week, with any hours worked beyond this considered overtime. 'That's the stupidest idea I have ever heard,' he said. 'I think we should let the French go to a two-day work week and then kick their arse internationally.' The outspoken businessman claimed that in our post-pandemic world and new digital economy, there is 'no such thing as a work week' anymore. But this isn't to say Mr O'Leary thinks a traditional five-day work week is the answer either, with the multi-millionaire taking a more outcome focused approach. 'Look at my staff, 40 per cent of them work remotely all around the world,' he said. For example, if a project is due by June 15, then he doesn't care how many days a week his staff work, so long as the work is done on time. One of the common ways that companies implement a four-day week is by using the 100:80:100 model, in which staff keep 100 per cent of their pay but have their work hours reduced to 80 per cent.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Anthony Albanese Government considers four-day work week
By The Albanese government has not ruled out the possibility of a four-day work week, following union claims that shorter hours could boost national productivity. The French-style idea is expected to be discussed at a three-day productivity roundtable in August, where strategies to tackle Australia's weak economic growth will be debated. Major business groups have already submitted their proposals to the roundtable, advocating for a corporate tax cut as a means to revive faltering productivity. Meanwhile, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) are pushing for a better work-life balance. AMWU national secretary Steve Murphy argued that reducing work hours through options such as a four-day week, a nine-day fortnight, or a 35-hour week could be key to improving productivity without reducing pay. 'Where we would like it to get is that there is a much more healthy balance between time at work and time with your family and time for leisure than what it is right now,' Mr Murphy said. On Sunrise on Tuesday, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek (pictured) declined to rule out the four-day week when asked directly by host Monique Wright. 'Could we be seeing a four-day working week?' 'Well, we'll listen to all views respectfully,' Plibersek said. 'The Treasurer's roundtable on productivity, I think is a great way of bringing unions and business and other groups together to discuss how we make our economy stronger and more productive. 'What we won't be doing to improve productivity is ask people to work longer for less. We want to invest in our people, boost training, invest in technologies and new ways of working, make sure that we're playing to our competitive advantages as a nation. 'That's how we boost productivity.' Speaking about the upcoming productivity roundtable, Mr Albanese said he wanted businesses, unions and civil society to put forward practical measures that have 'as broad a support as possible'. 'If you had a choice between, do you have less things with more support, or more things with less broad support, then I'm in favour of the former,' Albanese said. Representatives from the Australian Council of Trade Unions have received four of 24 invitations to the upcoming economic reform roundtable. The roundtable will also include delegates from the Business Council, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Industry Group, among others.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Anthony Albanese's government not ruling out a four-day working week for Australians
The Albanese government has not ruled out the possibility of a four-day work week, following union claims that shorter hours could boost national productivity. The idea is expected to be discussed at a three-day productivity roundtable in August, where strategies to strengthen Australia's economy will be debated. Major business groups have already submitted their proposals to the roundtable, advocating for a corporate tax cut as a means to drive productivity and economic growth. Meanwhile, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) are pushing for a better work-life balance. AMWU national secretary Steve Murphy argued that reducing work hours through options such as a four-day week, a nine-day fortnight, or a 35-hour week could be key to improving productivity without reducing pay. 'Where we would like it to get is that there is a much more healthy balance between time at work and time with your family and time for leisure than what it is right now,' Mr Murphy said. On Sunrise on Tuesday, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek declined to rule out the four-day week when asked directly by host Monique Wright. 'Could we be seeing a four-day working week,' Wright asked. 'Well, we'll listen to all views respectfully,' Plibersek said. 'The Treasurer's roundtable on productivity, I think is a great way of bringing unions and business and other groups together to discuss how we make our economy stronger and more productive. 'What we won't be doing to improve productivity is ask people to work longer for less. 'We want to invest in our people, boost training, invest in technologies and new ways of working, make sure that we're playing to our competitive advantages as a nation. 'That's how we boost productivity.' Speaking about the upcoming productivity roundtable, Mr Albanese said he wanted businesses, unions and civil society to put forward practical measures that have 'as broad a support as possible'. 'If you had a choice between, do you have less things with more support, or more things with less broad support, then I'm in favour of the former,' Albanese said. 'The danger in something like that is you just have a list (of things) that aren't progressed.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers will convene the three-day roundtable from August 19 in Canberra, along with representatives from businesses, unions, community organisations and experts. Representatives from the Australian Council of Trade Unions have received four of 24 invitations to the upcoming economic reform roundtable. The roundtable will also include delegates from the Business Council, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Industry Group, among others.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Urgent clarity requested on Hobart Private Hospital amid Healthscope woes
The Tasmanian government says it is "actively working on contingencies" after the operator of Hobart Private Hospital announced its parent entities had entered receivership. Healthscope, which runs more than three dozen hospitals across the country, insists the appointment of McGrathNicol as receivers will have no impact on jobs, doctors or patient care. "All 37 of our hospitals continue to operate as normal and today's appointment of receivers, including additional funding, ensures a stable path to a sale, with no impact on any hospitals, staff or patients," Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina said. The receivership does not affect Healthscope's operational division, which runs the hospitals, but instead relates to the company's non-operating shareholding entities. "Our immediate focus is to engage constructively with all key stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted operation of Healthscope hospitals and continuity of best practice standards of patient care," receiver Keith Crawford from McGrathNicol said. In Tasmania, the company runs the Hobart Private Hospital, which has almost 150 beds. The facility treats more than 20,000 patients each year and employs about 600 people, according to its website. Speaking ahead of the news breaking, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) told ABC Radio Hobart it was deeply concerned about the latest developments, following the company's announcement earlier this year to shut its maternity services in Hobart and Darwin. "We are writing to [the] Healthscope CEO and the Tasmanian Minister for Health, seeking urgent information and assurances with regard to the ongoing operation of Healthscope hospitals," ANMF Tasmanian branch acting secretary Phoebe Mansell said. "But members are disappointed that they are hearing about this through the media as they did when midwifery services were removed." Ms Mansell said it was essential the hospital remains open. "We can't afford to lose 150 private sector beds in the Tasmanian state. "So our focus now will be really working hard with state and federal governments and stakeholders to try and keep Healthscope hospitals open. "Of course, we'll also be looking to try and protect the jobs and entitlements of our members working in those facilities, but particularly for us, the Hobart Private." Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie, who is based in Hobart, said the state's health system "would collapse" if the private hospital were to close. "The Tasmanian government needs to get out there today and tell us what it is doing and what contingency plans it is putting in place, and would it even entertain the idea of buying the private [hospital] back and rolling it into the public health system? "Because we just can't afford to lose that hospital. Tasmania's Minister for Health Jacquie Petrusma said the government was "actively working on contingencies" to ensure Tasmanians would continue being able to access "the private healthcare they pay for". "We recognise the uncertainty this situation is bringing to staff and patients," Ms Petrusma said. She said, in the event Healthscope couldn't provide private services, "the department of health has already been exploring a number of options to ensure Tasmanians continue to have access to private healthcare". Ms Petrusma said this included discussions with other private providers. "Should Healthscope exit the market, it is our expectation that the federal government will assist with any financial support that may be required."
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Urgent clarity requested on hospitals future after Healthscope collapse
Healthscope says its national network of private hospitals will remain open despite its parent entities entering receivership today. The company, which runs almost three dozen hospitals across the country, insists the appointment of McGrathNicol as receivers will have no impact on jobs, doctors or patient care. "All 37 of our hospitals continue to operate as normal and today's appointment of receivers, including additional funding, ensures a stable path to a sale, with no impact on any hospitals, staff or patients," Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina said. The receivership does not affect Healthscope's operational division, which runs the hospitals, but instead relates to the company's non-operating shareholding entities. "Our immediate focus is to engage constructively with all key stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted operation of Healthscope hospitals and continuity of best practice standards of patient care," receiver Keith Crawford from McGrathNicol said. In Tasmania, the company runs the Hobart Private Hospital, which has almost 150 beds. The facility treats more than 20,000 patients each year and employs about 600 people, according to its website. Speaking ahead of the news breaking, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) told ABC Radio Hobart it was deeply concerned about the latest developments, following the company's announcement earlier this year to shut its maternity services in Hobart and Darwin. "We are writing to [the] Healthscope CEO and the Tasmanian Minister for Health, seeking urgent information and assurances with regard to the ongoing operation of Healthscope hospitals," ANMF Tasmanian branch acting secretary Phoebe Mansell said. "But members are disappointed that they are hearing about this through the media as they did when midwifery services were removed." Ms Mansell said it was essential the hospital remains open. "We can't afford to lose 150 private sector beds in the Tasmanian state. "So our focus now will be really working hard with state and federal governments and stakeholders to try and keep Healthscope hospitals open. "Of course, we'll also be looking to try and protect the jobs and entitlements of our members working in those facilities, but particularly for us, the Hobart Private." Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie, who is based in Hobart, said the state's health system "would collapse" if the private hospital were to close. "The Tasmanian government needs to get out there today and tell us what it is doing and what contingency plans it is putting in place, and would it even entertain the idea of buying the private [hospital] back and rolling it into the public health system? "Because we just can't afford to lose that hospital. The Tasmanian government said it was monitoring the situation and working with the company and the federal government on the issue. "It's important that we work through these challenges," government Minister Felix Ellis said. "Tasmanians can be assured that we have strong health services that will remain available to people. Mr Ellis did not respond directly to Mr Wilkie's suggestion that the government buy the private hospital. "There needs to be good public investment and good private investment in our health system here in Tasmania and around the country," he said.
