Nurses are the Solution, Parliamentarians told

APNA joined nursing leaders in Canberra last week for the Parliamentary Friends of Nursing breakfast, followed by a meeting with Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler - a fantastic opportunity to showcase contemporary nursing and the difference nurses and midwives make every day across Australia's healthcare system. 

6 July 2026

Alongside other nursing peak bodies, APNA met with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to discuss the future of the profession, the challenges facing the workforce, and the reforms needed to help nurses and midwives work to their full scope of practice.

APNA President Denise Lyons and CEO Stephen Duns shared findings from APNA's latest Workforce Survey, which found that almost one in three primary health care nurses are not working to their full scope. 

"Primary health care nurses are highly educated and experienced health care professionals, but the data shows that almost a third are not working to their full scope of practice," Denise said.

"If we act on funding reform and other recommendations of the Scope of Practice Review, we can do more to tackle chronic disease and reduce hospitalisations."

The event provided an important opportunity to discuss the changes needed to strengthen nursing and midwifery care across Australia. Conversations focused on a range of key priorities, including supporting nurses and midwives to work to full scope, expanding nurse-led vaccination, improving funding models for nurse- and midwife-led care, growing and retaining the workforce, improving access to care in rural and remote communities, embedding culturally safe care, and addressing growing pressures in aged care and mental health.

With more than 20 nursing organisations taking part, the exhibition was a fantastic showcase of nursing across Australia and sparked valuable conversations with parliamentarians about the future of healthcare. Attendees also heard thoughtful and engaging speeches from Dr Anne Webster MP and Ms Trish Cook MP, both highlighting the important role nurses and midwives play in improving health outcomes in communities across the country.

APNA was also proud to showcase the success of the government-funded National Nursing Clinical Placement Program at our exhibition stand. Nurse supervisor Mary Juatco from Oche Health in Bruce and nursing student Samuel Welsh from Australian Catholic University (pictured on the left with Denise and Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Allison McMillan) spoke with attendees about their experiences in primary health care and the value of high-quality clinical placements.

Samuel recently completed a placement under Mary's supervision, gaining first-hand experience of the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in primary health care nursing.

Visitors to the stand could also take part in demonstrations of blood pressure and blood glucose testing, highlighting the important role primary health care nurses play in preventing and managing chronic conditions.

One of the tests demonstrated was the Feltman Diabetes Education Tool, developed by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Diabetes Victoria. Designed for use with Aboriginal communities, the tool offers an engaging and culturally appropriate way to explain what happens in the body when someone is living with diabetes.

APNA thanks the Australian College of Nursing and the Parliamentary Friends of Nursing for bringing the profession together for such a valuable event.