Victorian nurses in line for huge wage rise

Scenes of pure joy. Celebrating. And why wouldn't they? Our nurses and midwives set to pocket a pay rise of close to 30%. Real happy. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Yeah, hard work is being recognised. It's near life changing for Northern Hospital nurse Gulan. It's gonna help a lot of families who are struggling and who are feeling the pinch in the pocket at the moment. The 28.4% pay rise over four years will boost allowances and night shift penalties as well as working conditions. Employees will pocket the full wage increase by November 2027. Different rates at different times, but such generous spirit, you know, people recognising that those who are. Pay the least, getting the most upfront. I wish, do wish though that the increases were earlier, the later the cost to the Victorian tax payer around $1 billion. It's also going to substantially improve our ability to retain and recruit nurses and midwives to the system. This comes after widespread industrial action and the shock decision from members to vote down a lesser previous offer over concerns the terms were uncertain. But today, as the nurses and midwives poured into the convention centre, the mood was good. That's absolutely what they deserve. But the union secretary has a message to those who say hospitals will suffer as a result of these pay rises. And what I will not stand for is health services cutting services when they have got the funding for it. Union power on full display in recent weeks. The CFMEU winning a 21% increase. 20% pay rise. There's not enough Ford Rangers in the country. First year pedestrians are going to get. God bless the sea of heaven. Victoria Police also happy with a significant boost, but today's result is the biggest jump yet. I will go forward to study and thank you, Victoria. Thank you very much. And Ray joins us now live. Reed, I guess the question is how is the government going to pay for all of this? Yes, that is the billion dollar question, isn't it Alicia? The Premier says the pay rise though is in line with wages policy and it's all about backing in nurses and midwives. But you can't ignore the fact that so many parts of the healthcare sector as a whole are struggling and so many corners of that sector would be desperate for additional funding. So it is a difficult and complicated tightrope for the government to walk going forward, especially considering it is so debt heavy. The risk of course is that it will wobble and fall right off. Alright, Reid, thank you.