Queensland Premier gets last laugh as State of Origin bet exposes superior conditions for QLD nurses
In a classic tale of State of Origin rivalry, NSW Premier Chris Minns today found himself in hot water after a Facebook post meant to poke fun at his Queensland counterpart, Steven Miles.
The friendly banter between the two premiers, who have a bet riding on the outcome of the State of Origin Rugby League series, quickly took an unexpected turn, highlighting a sore spot for Minns.
Under the terms of the bet, the premier of the losing state must don the winning state’s colours. Minns, with his tongue firmly in cheek, posted, “Let’s start the day right by saying one nice thing about a Maroons Fan,” and added, “My mate from Queensland, Steven Miles, a passionate Maroons fan, would look great in Blue.”
However, the light-hearted jest was overshadowed by an outpouring of frustration from NSW nurses. In the comments, they vented their anger at Minns for refusing to increase their pay, pointing out that Queensland nurses earn 15% more. The backlash was swift and fierce, with one comment summing up the sentiment: “While you joke, we struggle. Maybe you should look to Queensland for some real leadership.”
The unintended consequence of Minns’ post has shone a spotlight on the superior pay and conditions enjoyed by Queensland nurses under the Miles government. Queensland’s healthcare professionals were quick to applaud their premier, with many chiming in to thank Miles for his support and advocacy.
“Steven Miles and Shannon Fentiman MP value their Nurses and Midwives by paying them properly and giving them ratios,” said one Facebook user Jacinda Williams.
Adding to Minns’ woes, NSW is struggling to retain its nursing workforce. Hundreds of nurses are crossing the border into Queensland for better wages and working conditions. This exodus is particularly problematic at the newly opened NSW Tweed Hospital, close to the Queensland border, which has faced severe nursing shortages since it opened.
The unintended social media storm has underscored the growing discontent among NSW nurses. As the State of Origin rivalry heats up, it’s clear that Steven Miles has already scored a major victory in the eyes of the state’s nurses.
