Grant Burton
Candidate for Assistant Secretary - Nursing
I am the current QNMU Assistant Secretary and have worked in nursing in regional Queensland since 2004.
I'm a proud Enrolled Nurse with a background in anaesthetics within the perioperative environment.
In my 30 year health career I have worked across public, private, aged care and medical sectors.
As a QNMU member I have been active as a local Workplace Representative, Branch Delegate and Councillor, fuelling my passion for mentoring and empowering nurses and midwives.
Living in Rockhampton and having worked as a regional organiser supporting members across Queensland, I'm a strong advocate for regional, rural and remote nurses and midwives.
Similarly, as the current QNMU Assistant Secretary, I have championed the issues all nurses and midwives care about – safe staffing, reasonable workloads and professional recognition.
I know what it takes to keep nursing and midwifery strong and valued as professions. With QNMU Secretary, Sarah Beaman, I will continue to work hard to ensure our union grows in power industrially and professionally so nurses and midwives get the respect and reward we deserve.
Our QNMU Members United Team has a track record of success, a plan to keep nursing and midwifery strong, and we're asking for your vote.
Support for Grant
“Grant has passionately supported the QNMU in various roles over the last 10 years or so, becoming a member organiser, to regional organiser, to his current role.
Grant was an Enrolled Nurse who exhibits passion in all roles he has committed to in the past, and will in the future. He has a vested interest in rural, remote and regional communities, and is based in Rockhampton, but commutes to Brisbane as required.
He is very much an advocate to many nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners. His support is unwavering.
Grant offered valuable support and advice when I nominated for QNMU Council, a position I successfully held from 2017 to 2021. I doubt I would have been as effective without his advice and words of wisdom.
I therefore provide my endorsement and support for his nomination for the QNMU election and ongoing leadership of our Union. I firmly believe our QNMU will be in safe and sensible hands with Grant as Assistant Secretary.”
— Dallas Meyers, CN, Emerald
“Grant and I started work together on our Council when he was elected while working at a private hospital in Rockhampton. He was a hard-working workplace activist who had the ability to bring people together to achieve great outcomes, not only in his workplace but across workplaces and sectors in central Queensland.
He knows so well the unique challenges for rural and remote areas and is a passionate advocate for members in these areas. He has a great breadth of knowledge of these areas given his work as a nurse in Rockhampton, a union Organiser for Central Queensland and later as an Organiser Team Leader covering most of the regional and remote areas of our vast decentralised state. He has travelled widely across the state, working with members across Queensland to solve their local workplace issues. Together they have achieved many great industrial and professional outcomes. His industrial expertise across all sectors is significant.
Grant is a creative problem solver who knows that sustaining good relationships underpins continued success. Over many years he has worked well with other unions to advance joint union community-based campaigns to advance the lives of working people. He skilfully navigates differences and focuses on advancing shared interests.
I will be voting for Grant in the upcoming election and strongly recommend other members to do likewise.”
— Beth Mohle (QNMU Secretary 2011 - 2022)
“It is with great admiration that I write about Grant, whose service as the QNMU Assistant Secretary exemplifies the core values of collectivism, practicality, and the pursuit of shared interests.
Grant is a steadfast champion of unity, always placing the collective good above individual agendas. His deep understanding of union values has fostered an environment where collaboration thrives, he has a remarkable ability to bring people together, ensuring that everyone's voices are heard and aligned towards common goals.
With a foundation of common sense, Grant’s practical mindset has been instrumental in guiding the union through complex situations and ensuring that decisions are both thoughtful and effective.”
— Sally-Anne Jones (QNMU President 2009-2025)
“Until recently I was a QNMU Workplace Rep in the private sector: since 2003.
I am confident that in Sarah and Grant we have strong unionist’s who will continue to put QNMU members first, advocate for our communities and have a great understanding of professional aspects of Nurses and Midwives.
We can continue to trust they will advocate for Nurses and Midwives working in all sectors in Queensland. QNMU will continue to grow with Sarah as Secretary and Grant as Assistant Secretary.”