FEATURE ANMF ASSISTANT FEDERAL SECRETARY ANNIE BUTLER PHOTO: GREG ADAMS
PHOTO: ROB J WILLIAMS
Sharp says the Biennial National Conference is an opportunity to vet with interstate colleagues. “It’s fantastic to learn about other issues and challenges for our state and territory comrades – from remote Australia to Tasmania. We get to share our experiences and knowledge – we get to reflect on our practices and problemsolving. “As a Victorian nurse and member of the ANMF Victorian Branch Executive with a high density membership, it’s important to be mindful of the issues of smaller Branches and the struggles they have in their workplaces.” As a team coordinator at the RDNS Homeless Program, Ms Sharp is passionate about social justice. “Equity in healthcare and that everyone has access to universal healthcare regardless of their circumstances – that everyone has the same lot.” Victoria’s proposed Choices in Assisted Dying legislation will be topical at the national biennial with debate scheduled in state Parliament, says Ms Sharp. Open and supportive, she considers there are clear and concise guidelines to the legislation. “I think it is a well-considered report with plenty of safeguards and targets those in extreme suffering with less than 12 months prognosis. I think when people are given a choice it empowers them and gives them the right to self-determination. anmf.org.au
PHOTO: GREG ADAMS
PHOTO: ROB J WILLIAMS
“It allows for nurses and doctors to have a conscientious objection if they do not want to partake. I think as nurses potentially we could be the leaders in this area.”
Conference it’s a national agenda and it’s always nice to throw a politician in there and get them on the spot – to talk about what their beliefs are and their political platform – all in good humour.”
Campaigns “IT’S FANTASTIC TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR OUR STATE AND TERRITORY COMRADES – FROM REMOTE AUSTRALIA TO TASMANIA. WE GET TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE – WE GET TO REFLECT ON OUR PRACTICES AND PROBLEM-SOLVING.”
Speakers
Member of the ANMF SA Branch Executive Lynn Croft says there are always top quality speakers at the Biennial National Conference. “Really interesting speakers. You leave feeling re-energised and go back to work inspired talking to colleagues about local and national issues. “There are often international speakers where we get to benchmark against where we are nationally. At the Biennial National
ANMF SA Branch Councillor and Executive Member Janice Clifford says the Biennial National Conference is a forum that inspires nurses and midwives to action in various campaigns. “My passion is about nurse safety in the workplace together with safe staffing and skills mix on all shifts and we continue to fight for these goals. “We all wanted to get on board the ‘Strike Train’ when Brett Holmes told us of their EB campaign – such a powerful and well organised event.” Members had enthusiastically participated in events at Biennial National Conference, says Ms Clifford. “Such as the rally in Brisbane to protest about unheralded staff cuts, the ‘Because We Care’ campaign in Sydney in our t-shirts we greeted the Minister for Ageing, and Adelaide last biennial where we stood behind a banner about asylum seekers saying we shall not be silenced.”
Power of the movement
Vice-President of the ANMF ACT Branch and former workplace delegate Shane September 2017 Volume 25, No. 3 23