Nurses union tackles repayment
THREE delegates from the Warwick Heath Services branch attended the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) annual conference last week where they heard the address given by local member and Minister for Health Lawrence Springborg.
QNU secretary Beth Mohle said their aim was to discuss the salary repayment plans.
"It is not that our members don't want to pay the money back because they do and will, if and when it is demonstrated without doubt that an overpayment has occurred," she said.
"There is also the issue of how much can be recovered from our salaries.
"We also want the legislation to amend the IR Act withdrawn as it is a violation of members' rights."
Mr Springborg said he understood the frustrations felt by the nurses.
"I addressed the gathering (on Friday) and answered a series of questions from delegates," he said.
"Overpayments continue to cost about $1.7 million a fortnight and affect 4000 people each pay cycle.
"This is money paid by taxpayers that was misdirected because of the failed payroll system. Recovering this money means that almost $90 million will be redirected to where it is most needed - our frontline services."
