The Rules of the Queensland Nurses' Union of Employees and Professional Indemnity Insurance

4   Industry

The Union is formed and registered in connection with the nursing industry.

5  Objects of the Union

The objects of the Union are to foster high standards of nursing practice, promote the professional and educational advancement of nurses, and promote the economic and general welfare of nurses. Provided that without limiting the generality of the foregoing and for the purposes of carrying into effect the objects of the Union, the Union may take all steps:–

(a) To establish standards for nursing practice and to take any action deemed necessary to ensure that nurses are able to practice effectively.

(b) To enunciate standards of nursing service and education and to take any action deemed necessary to advance nursing service and education in all its areas.

(c) To participate with all other agencies in promoting measures to meet the health needs of the public.

(d) To stimulate and promote research designed to widen the knowledge on which the practice of nursing is based.

(e) To obtain and maintain desirable conditions of work and just remuneration for all nurses and for this purpose to obtain awards or determinations from industrial tribunals and to enter into agreements or treaties with employers.

(f) To represent nurses and serve as their spokesman before any tribunal, court, board, committee or other authority and to present their cause.

(g) To take any lawful action deemed advisable to protect and advance the interests of members.

(h) To obtain representation on boards, institutions and organisations as may be considered necessary to further the interests of nurses.

(i) To engage in any activity designed to assist members or former members against the exigencies of advancing years, sickness, death, unemployment or any other misfortune, and for this purpose to create a special fund on trust for the establishment of homes or institutions and without limiting any other activity referred to herein to accept donations and bequests for the purpose of such fund or trust.

(j) To establish special funds to endow scholarships, promote research or conduct any activity which may be of general benefit to members.

(k) To establish and maintain publications.

(l) To provide information to members on matters relating to nursing.

(m) To accept gifts, bequests and donations for any purpose.

(n) To provide for membership or affiliation with those organisations having similar objects to the Union and from which members will benefit.

(o) To affiliate with Peak Councils of Unions in Queensland and Australia and with such other organisations or bodies having similar interests and objects of the Union with regard to standards of industrial and economic welfare of members, nursing practice, nurse education and the promotion of health.

(p) To be registered pursuant to the Industrial Relations Act 1999 as an industrial union of employees and to take all actions or steps necessary for the protection or advancement of the Union or its members pursuant to the said Act.

6  Membership

The Branch shall consist of an unlimited number of persons, men and women, who are registered with the Nurses Board of Queensland, or who produce evidence of other registration as registered nurses, or in the case of those not registered in Queensland, who can produce evidence of training to the satisfaction of the Branch Council; student nurses; enrolled nurses; associate members; passive members; life members and honorary members.

For the purpose of interpreting this clause associate members shall be assistants-in-nursing and other nurses whom the Branch Council sees fit to accept as associate members; passive members shall be registered nurses or enrolled nursing aides who are retired and/or are not actively engaged in nursing practice in Queensland; life members, those registered nurses who have been elected to life membership; and honorary members, those persons who have identified themselves with the cause of nursing and whom the Branch Council has elected to membership.

7  Dual Membership with Australian Nursing Federation

All members of the Union shall be deemed to be members of the Federation.