Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, May 10, 2025

Doctors in New South Wales Strike for Salary Increases and Better Working Conditions

Doctors in New South Wales Strike for Salary Increases and Better Working Conditions

Healthcare professionals demand significant salary boosts and improved break periods amid growing concerns over patient care and staffing shortages.
On Tuesday, thousands of doctors from over 30 public hospitals across New South Wales (NSW) initiated a strike, advocating for a one-off 30 percent salary increase and guaranteed breaks.

The demonstration took place outside the 975-bed Westmead Hospital in Sydney's western region, where participants argued that safe working conditions are essential for ensuring patient safety.

Junior doctor Henry Crayton highlighted his own experiences, stating, "I'd be lying if I said I myself was not actively looking [for jobs in other states], because if the state government doesn't value me and doesn't help me be the best doctor I can, why would I stay?" Crayton reported working 135 hours over the past two weeks, encountering an average of 150 patients per shift, which he described as a common experience among his colleagues.

Zachary McPherson, another doctor from western Sydney, remarked on the impact of the government's stance regarding pay and working conditions, noting the demoralization within the sector.

First-year doctors in NSW earn approximately $38 per hour, while counterparts in Queensland can command $45 per hour, not factoring in penalty rates and additional leave.

The strike, marking the first such action by NSW doctors since 1998, has raised concerns over possible chaos within the healthcare system, which is already under strain.

Union officials assure that vital emergency care will continue, though non-urgent procedures will be postponed.

As a contingency, hospitals will be staffed at levels akin to public holidays during the strike period.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called on union leaders to consider negotiations without threats of industrial action.

He acknowledged the disparities in pay but emphasized the need for time to address these issues, stating, "We understand there are gaps in pay, we're not trying to hide from the fact that there are." Park indicated that efforts to resolve these salary and staffing challenges could not be accomplished within a single year.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation, representing the striking doctors, articulated that the action is critical to addressing an ongoing doctor shortage in the region.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
The Road to Freedom: She Protested Putin, Escaped House Arrest, and Survived a 2,800-Kilometer Journey
Prince Harry is pleading for reconciliation — but the royals are just as sick of his victimhood as everyone else
OpenAI's Flip-Flop: No Longer Going Commercial, Back to Nonprofit, After Musk Lawsuit and Backlash
First From China: Zhao Xintong Wins the Snooker World Championship
Nvidia Faces Billion-Dollar Losses – Warns: China Is on Its Way to Becoming an AI Superpower
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Storms the Map, Wrecking the Two-Party Monopoly
DOGE: Reimagining Government Operations with AI
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
U.K. Court Rejects Prince Harry’s Final Appeal Over Police Security
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Prince Harry’s Heartfelt Outburst Rocks the Royal Family
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Transgender Swimmer Secures Five Gold Medals at U.S. Masters Championship
Prince Harry: “I Want Reconciliation with My Family”
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
180-Year-Old Christian University in South Carolina Announces Closure Due to Unmet $6 Million Fundraising Goal
Brazilian Woman Jailed for Fourteen Years for Writing “You Lost, Idiot” on Statue During Protest
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Huawei Ramps Up Testing of Powerful New AI Chip in Challenge to Nvidia Amid U.S. Sanctions
Dutch Politician Eva Vlaardingerbroek Receives Spyware Threat Alert from Apple
Paramount Board Considers Settlement in Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over "60 Minutes" Interview
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Sweden Grapples with Deadly Gun Violence: Suspect Arrested After Three Young Men Killed in Uppsala Hair Salon
Walz Reveals Why Harris Chose Him as Her Running Mate and Reflects on Democratic Losses
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Carney Secures Liberal Mandate in Canada’s Federal Election
Death Penalty Sought as Luigi Manion Pleads Not Guilty in CEO Murder Case
President Trump contacts Jeff Bezos after reports of Amazon considering listing tariff surcharges; company clarifies no such plan for main platform
Spain and Portugal Recover from Massive Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Raid on Underground Nightclub in Colorado Springs Yields Over 100 Arrests
Singapore Politicians Warn Against Foreign Interference in Election
Driver Ploughs into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Killing Nine
Depression, Fear of Defamation, and a Tragic End: New Details on Virginia Giuffre’s Suicide
“Sharia for UK, Allah Akbar!”
China Warns Nations Against Trade Deals Harmful to Its Interests
Malaysia Revises Growth Outlook Amid US Trade Talks
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Wild Courtroom Chaos: FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Helping Illegal Immigrant Flee from ICE Agents!
Pakistani migrants to Danish man: “ “We have 5 children while you have 1 or 2. In 10 years, there will be more Pakistanis than Danes here.“
×