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End free parking at hospital

THE end of free parking for public hospital staff next month has angered the nurses union.

As staff roll up their sleeves for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), Brett Holmes, labelled it “a disgrace”, adding that the Government had been quick to forget the ‘gold standard’ efforts of its own health workforce.
“These women and men have barely received a 0.3 per cent increase in their pay and already the Government wants them to open their wallets again,” he said.
Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes also called on the Treasurer to explain “why he is taxing the very people who keep us healthy and safe”.
Also describing it as “a tax on health workers”, NSW Shadow Health Minister Ryan Park called on the State Government to scrap the move.
“This pandemic is not over yet and these hospital workers have from the very beginning put their own health at risk for the public good and this is how the Government thanks them,” Mr Park said.
However a spokesperson for NSW Health, said free staff parking was a temporary initiative introduced in April last year “during a very challenging time”.
“The Covid-19 situation has now eased across the State and activity in public hospitals has increased significantly,” they said.
“Hospital car parks, particularly those in metropolitan areas, are now experiencing capacity issues due to the increased demand for spaces and it is appropriate that free parking for staff cease in April.”