Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to show my support for the Vic ambos' Code Red campaign. Victorian ambos are the highest trained in the country and have the best cardiac survival rates in the country, yet they are the lowest paid. That is why half the Victorian paramedics are considering leaving the state of Victoria to practise their skills in other states. The Victorian Liberal government pays paramedics at least 30 per cent less than those in other states. That is why Victorian paramedics are finding it very hard to support their families and an exodus is occurring. Today in Bendigo there was a rally of about 100 paramedics and their supporters, asking Denis Napthine, the Victorian Premier, to meet them. He refused. Perhaps this is why he is about to become the former Premier of Victoria.

These ambos are working really hard and they deserve our support. The federal government is also attacking them. They are concerned that the GP tax will make their job harder, with people not seeking help when they need it but waiting until a crisis or an emergency and then calling out an ambo. The ambos are also under attack from this government because of their HECS debt. They will have to pay more on their HECS debts. Again, whether it be state, whether it be federal, the Liberals just do not care about our paramedics in Bendigo and Victoria.