The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten today expressed his growing concern over the ongoing nurses dispute in Victoria.

“As a Victorian, I am concerned about Victorian nurses and the impact these matters are having on Victorian hospitals and the broader community,” he said.

“I wrote to the parties involved last week, outlining my concerns and encouraging them to resolve this as soon as possible for the benefit of all Victorians.”

“I offered to assist through the appointment of an independent person, a senior member of the FWA, to help get the parties to the negotiating table where they may be able to find resolution.”

“The nurses have said they will accept private arbitration, Ted Baillieu should break the stalemate and do the same.”

“There are no winners in a protracted argument.”

The ANF’s position that they will cancel industrial action has received the Minister’s support.

“I want to make clear that I do not condone parties taking unprotected industrial action, but I also think it beyond the pale that we’re now facing the possibility of this going on indefinitely due to Premier’s intransience.”