Thousands of nurses in Australia's most populous state walked off the job for the first time in nearly a decade to begin a 24-hour strike after talks with the government to plug staff shortages and secure a pay rise failed.
Nurses and midwives across New South Wales (NSW) defied a last minute order by the state's industrial relations commission to call off the strike, which it said could put public health in danger.
Nurses gathered in front of the state parliament building in Sydney, holding placards saying "Fatigued, exhausted, worn out and burnt out", "Need more nurses now" and "Stop telling us to cope." Nurses had sought a pay rise of more than 2.5% and better nurse-to-patient ratios.
The strike will be staggered through the day and will include staff from more than 150 hospitals around the state. "The community needs to hear the truth - current staffing levels are inadequate, unsafe and putting patients at risk," said the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association.