Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Ambulance services

Mr FOWLES (Burwood) (19:16): (6262) My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Ambulance Services, who has had a very quiet day. The action I seek is for the minister to join me to meet with Ambulance Victoria staff in the electorate of Burwood to discuss Labor’s $759 million investment to bolster our emergency services. Ambulance services are no laughing matter, and that is why in the 2021–22 budget the Andrews Labor government invested more than $759 million for additional paramedics, more triage care and extra support staff for Ambulance Victoria. This included the creation of 43 new full-time equivalent call-taking and dispatch positions.

This boost in funding is needed now more than ever. Unprecedented levels of demand saw the volume of emergency department presentations increase by 30 per cent last year. This is massive demand, but the Andrews Labor government will always, always, always stand with our healthcare workers and emergency services personnel. That is why on top of this $759 million we have added an additional $40 million to boost capacity to manage increased COVID case loads and provide surge capacity for patients.

In Burwood we are fortunate to have great access to quality emergency services, including two ambulance stations. Indeed the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, ESTA—their headquarters is just 5 minutes away. Only Labor governments will properly invest in our emergency services. In fact we have injected $1 billion into Ambulance Victoria since coming to government in 2014. The scale of that is a massive testament to Labor values. That stands in contrast to the modus operandi of those opposite, because all the Liberals and Nationals know is to cut, close and gut our ambulance system. Back when they had their shot they spent half as much on ambulance services. We can never let those days return to the state.

Only under an Andrews Labor government do we have the best-funded ambulance service in the entire nation. In the past year alone we have brought on a record 700 new paramedics. We cannot take our healthcare system for granted, and the Andrews Labor government is backing it up every step of the way. We are not just backing our ambos, we are giving them the state-of-the-art tools they need to do their best, and I would like to specifically highlight an excellent announcement made in recent weeks to invest $300 million in a new air ambulance fleet. Additionally, a new medium-acuity transport service has hit the road, helping Victorians and providing critical care when they need it most—because having a strong ambulance service protects us all.

Labor values our life-saving paramedics. On this side of politics we are cracking on and ensuring Victorians get the world-class care they deserve. We do not just talk, we get on and deliver. And I look forward to Minister Foley outlining how this funding will further benefit ambulance services and support ESTA staff in my community.