21 June 2019
South Australia’s Legislative Council has referred the proposed regulations under Gayle’s Law to a parliamentary legislation review committee after the ANMF (SA Branch) supported by Gayle Woodford’s family raised concerns about a provision that waters down the legislation.
The regulations, due to take effect from 1 July, included a provision that allows nurses to attend after-hours emergency callouts alone if they consider it safe—a loophole that completely undermines the level of protection for remote area nurses intended by the legislation.
The motions to close this loophole were submitted by SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros and Labor’s Kyam Maher supported by various crossbenchers in the State’s Upper House.
The parliamentary review will be undertaken as a priority and the regulations—revised or otherwise—will be reintroduced into the House for voting once complete.
It is unclear what this means for the current regulations earmarked to take effect from 1 July.
We will keep members appraised of developments.