Nurses supporting Greens in Richmond allege Labor bullying at pre-poll boothsBy Elloise Farrow-SmithABC North CoastTopic:Australian Federal Elections17m ago17 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 6:06amThese nurses once voted for Labor but now support Greens candidate Mandy Nolan (white jacket). (Supplied: The Greens)In short:Nurses and midwives in the seat of Richmond are handing out flyers for the Greens while wearing their scrubs.There have been allegations of bullying and harassment at pre-poll booths.What's next?Nurses warn the federal Labor party could see a voter backlash over state Labor decisions on nurse pay and conditions.abc.net.au/news/tweed-nurses-support-greens-allege-bullying-federal-election/105229378Link copiedShareShare articleTensions are high in the northern NSW seat of Richmond where nurses handing out flyers at pre-poll booths say they are under pressure from their former allies, the Labor party. The seat sits on the NSW-Queensland border and in recent years has experienced an exodus of nurses to the Queensland in pursuit of better pay and conditions."I have seen the frustration of nurses being betrayed by the Labor government and our fight for equal pay," nurse Ian Abaolos said.Stay updated:Federal election live updates: Get the latest news from the campaign trailCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenAngie Gittus, Kim Stanhope and Ian Abalos believe the Greens will take nurse pay to a federal level if elected. (ABC News: Elloise Farrow-Smith)Pay and conditions for nurses may be a state issue, but some healthcare workers in Richmond are taking their concerns out on federal Labor by handing out how-to-vote-cards for the Greens."When I graduated as a nurse 22 years ago, NSW nurses were some of the highest paid nurses in the country — now we are the lowest," nurse Kim Stanhope said."Particularly in border towns like we are here, we cannot hold on to our qualified nurses."Nurse Mia Casagrande at a 2024 Lismore rally campaigning for better pay. (ABC News: Elloise Farrow-Smith)In a recent informal survey conducted a staff member at the new Tweed Valley Hospital, 150 nurses and midwives were asked, "Given NSW Labor … promised to fix wages prior to the election, but nurses and midwives are having to strike for a fair wage, how likely are you to vote for Labor in the next election?"Sixty-two-per cent said they were "very unlikely" and 14 per cent said "unlikely" to vote for Labor.Labor incumbent Justine Elliot holds the seat by a margin of 1.8 per cent."I have always been supportive of the pay and conditions of nurses but this is a state issue — this is a state government matter," Ms Elliot told the ABC.Labor's Justine Elliot (centre) holds the seat of Richmond by a narrow margin of 1.8 per cent. (ABC News: Elloise Farrow-Smith)Nurses are traditionally key Labor supporters but some, disillusioned with their old ally, have been campaigning for the Greens in their scrubs at pre-poll booths.Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan worked in aged care and is married to a nurse."I am really honoured that nurses are handing out for me — I know how busy they are, I know how overworked and underpaid they are," she said."I don't sit with the 'this is a state issue, this is a federal issue' thing, we need layers of government to work together, to start having conversations about a federal pay rate."Nurses on the NSW North Coast, pictured at a 2022 rally, have lobbied for better pay for years. (ABC North Coast)Bullying allegations at pre-pollSome nurses allege they have become the target of bullying over their support for the Greens."I did make a formal complaint to AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) about bullying or intimidation at the polling booths," nurse Angie Gittus said.Read more about the federal election:Strange 'ballot-fellows' revealed on parties' how-to-vote cardsHow the Greens rebranded from environmental activists to the 'party of renters'The key election promises from Labor and the CoalitionWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverage"I'm not comfortable doing that because I live and work in this community and I don't want to create a problem, but the standard you walk past is the standard you accept."Ms Gittus is a registered Greens member and was a local government candidate for the party in 2016.Nurses choosing better pay and conditions in Queensand have left some NSW hospitals with a staffing crisis. (ABC News: Elloise Farrow-Smith/file photo 2024)The AEC has confirmed it received a formal complaint about alleged bad behaviour by the Labor team at a Tweed pre-poll booth.In a statement the AEC said:We have seen a small number of complaints about behaviour relating to campaign volunteers.These complaints typically relate to behaviour that occurs outside of the 6-metre exclusion zone for campaigning outside of the entrance to a polling place, and as such the AEC has limited legal powers.On several occasions we have reminded campaign volunteers from parties across the political spectrum to interact respectfully, and with civility at all times.Ms Stanhope said she used to support Labor.Follow the latest election newsPhoto shows ABC News Radio logo and the ABC Listen logo below it on a light blue background.Hear the latest election news as it happens on the Election Central Playlist. Only on the ABC listen app."This election, handing out for the Greens has been different to any other I have experienced," she said."The intimidation tactics is something I have never experienced and I have found it quite upsetting."Ms Elliot said she "completely rejects" the premise of the complaint."It's my team that has suffered intimidation on a number of occasions," she said."I'm not aware of any official complaint but I have certainly heard concerns from my team."The drama cannot take the shine off Saturday's poll for Mr Abolos.This is his first time voting in an Australian federal election."I migrated to Australia in 2016, I decided to be a citizen of Australia [a year ago]," he said."It means a lot to me to vote because I know having the right to vote, voting, it can make a big change."LoadingLoading...Having trouble seeing this form? 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