Incorrect. Nurses and firefighters come under the State industrial system and therefore are not subject to FWA (aka Julia's system for industrial chaos). That is why the bus drivers were able to wildcat strike last week in Sydney with impunity. That wasn't and didn't need to be PIA.
FWA provides that the government can step in in the national interest. When that test is satisfied, is only known to them.
clotted - what's incorrect about saying these NSW disputes aren't being played out on the front pages of the news adnauseum?
I am aware that the Fair Work system doesn't cover these disputes, but regardless of whether something falls within the State or Commonwealth IR systems, it doesn't stop politicians of all flavours (and levels) making noise about it and showing "concern".
For example back when Oprah came to Sydney, the MUA was "threatening" action on the ferries (another NSW IR system covered workforce). That didn't stop Gillard and Evans and a couple of others getting excited and making public noise. If it's "important enough" (ie in the news and people talking about) then they will "get involved". I'm not talking about intervention under the Fair Work Act, just being out there, talking about it.
Government intervention can take many forms both legal and non-legal.