Two nurses at Bankstown Hospital, located in Sydney’s western suburbs, have been removed from their positions after declaring on video they would refuse to treat—and would kill—Israeli patients who presented for care. This marks the first time in Australian history that healthcare workers have openly declared their intent to murder patients based on nationality.

Healthcare enjoys a special place in the Australian psyche. The fact that everyone—no matter who they are—can access the highest quality care through our public hospitals is a source of national pride. When you ask people why they live in Australia, healthcare is typically listed among the top five reasons why citizens stay, and migrants arrive.

From the moment an Australian is born, they know that if they get sick or have an accident, they will be treated in hospital without receiving a bill. They can be confident the care will be of high quality. This is what makes the NSW Nurses Scandal such a bombshell. It rends a tear in a blanket of trust that all Australians experience as a birthright. The sight of nurses in NSW government uniform declaring murderous intent represents a fundamental break in the social compact.