Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Steve McGHIE (Melton) (10:22): Paramedics are not only on duty when they are physically treating a patient, they are on duty from the moment they begin their shift until the moment it ends. They carry a radio and can be dispatched at any time. They are required to respond immediately, whether refuelling, restocking or on a meal break, crib break or a paid break. They are in uniform, they are visible and they remain responsible for the safety of the community. In light of the alleged assault on paramedic Kathryn McCormack, many in the emergency services community have raised concerns about the way the definition of ‘on duty’ has been interpreted by police prosecutors. I am very conscious that court proceedings are ongoing, and I will not comment on the specifics; however, it has questioned whether that interpretation reflects operational reality. It is also disappointing to see that this matter has been politicised. The member for Mornington has attributed this outcome to weak drafting. That provision – section 10AA – was inserted into the Sentencing Act 1991 in 2014 by the then Attorney-General Robert Clark, the former member for Box Hill. So if members opposite believe the drafting is defective, they may wish to reflect on its origins. The Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill has written to the Attorney-General seeking to ensure operational staff are recognised as being on duty for the entirety of their shift, and that is reasonable. Paramedics should not lose protection between patients. Violence against any emergency service worker is unacceptable – full stop. There is no circumstance in which assaulting a paramedic, a police officer or other emergency responder is acceptable.