VISION:
- Health workers rallying outside Prince Charles Hospital
- Campaign signs and banners at the main road by the hospital sign
- Together Secretary Alex Scott available for interviews
- Crowd shots outside hospital entrance
DETAILS:
What: Health workers rally for hospital parking relief
When: Wednesday 13 May, 12pm–1pm
Where: Rode Rd, near Prince Charles Hospital sign, Chermside
Frontline Health workers will rally outside Prince Charles Hospital today calling on political parties and candidates to back cost-of-living relief for hospital staff and patients by ending hospital parking fees.
The lunchtime rally comes days out from the Stafford by-election and amid growing frustration from health workers facing rising grocery, fuel and housing costs while still being charged to park at work.
Together Union said hospital parking across Queensland’s public health system had become a hidden tax on workers and patients already struggling with rising everyday costs.
Together Union Branch Secretary Alex Scott said the Government was already receiving increased revenue from higher coal, gas and fuel prices and should use that revenue to provide practical relief instead of charging people to park at hospitals.
“Health workers and patients are being hit from every angle by the cost of living,” Mr Scott said.
“People are paying more for groceries, more for fuel and more for housing — then they’re being charged again just to get to hospital.”
“At a time when the Government is benefiting from increased revenue elsewhere, it should be delivering practical relief — not slugging hospital workers and patients just to walk through the doors.”
While today’s rally is focused on The Prince Charles Hospital in the lead-up to the Stafford by-election, Together said parking costs were even higher at hospitals with large-scale privatised car parks, including the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Parking at The Prince Charles Hospital costs $13 a day—or $65 a working week—while visitors at the RBWH pay $48 for more than three hours.
The union is calling on all candidates to commit to advocating for cost-of-living relief measures in the upcoming State Budget, including free parking arrangements for hospital staff and patients, at least on a temporary basis.
“This is a practical form of relief that could be implemented immediately,” Mr Scott said.
“It’s a simple decision that would make a real difference for workers, patients and families already under pressure.”
The rally also comes amid growing frustration among allied health workers after an interim pay increase previously agreed to became tied up in arbitration, potentially until 2028.
Together said workers were being asked to absorb rising costs while waiting years for a wage outcome already negotiated in principle.
“Workers are already under pressure from rising everyday costs and many still haven’t received the pay increase they were expecting,” Mr Scott said.
Together has applied for an interim pay increase to deliver the 3.5% rise from November and is calling on the Queensland Government to support the pay rise workers have already earned while the matter remains tied up in arbitration.
The rally will also highlight broader workforce pressures across the health system and ongoing concerns around recruitment and retention.
Contact details:
Amy, 0437 027 156