Yesterday I joined members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, and former GP and Greens NSW MLC, Dr Amanda Cohn, for a rally in support of local nurses.

The NSWNMA are calling for a new public sector award, demanding a 15 per cent pay rise this year. Nurses are the foundation of our health system, and deserve what they are asking for.

Improved working conditions are vital in attracting and retaining quality nurses, and helping nurses provide the best care they can.

It's not just about valuing them, it's also about the quality of patient care. The two of these go together and, in the long run, it is going to cost money, but the NSWNMA have put together a strong business case and the government ought to look at that.

This is an opportunity for them to come out with a good result where the government will win, the union and the staff will win, and patients will win.