Threaten Paramedics? You’ll Pay

Paramedics are there for us on our worst day.

They should never fear for their own safety.

A re-elected Carroll Labor Government will impose more consequences for patients who abuse or threaten ambulance workers.

The consequences won’t stop at possible criminal charges.

Under Labor’s plan, violent and abusive patients will also be stripped of their Ambulance Victoria membership – so they lose cover for ambulance costs.

Paramedics have asked for it. Only Labor will deliver it.

Real consequences for threatening paramedics

In the past year, 93 per cent of union members at Ambulance Victoria reported abusive language.

Worse, 59 per cent were threatened with violence and 28 per cent were physically assaulted.

Under Labor’s plan:

• Patients who are violent or abusive towards ambulance workers would have their membership suspended or cancelled

• They won’t be denied care, but they will be liable for the full cost of getting an ambulance – which can exceed $2,000 in emergencies

That’s on top of any criminal charges that these violent individuals could face.

A new patient charter will set a firm expectation that paramedics and ambulance workers are treated with respect.

Ambulance Victoria decides the penalty.

A strict reporting and assessment process will make sure patients with dementia, an acquired brain injury or other mitigating circumstances are treated fairly.

It’s all part of Labor’s plan to support health workers – and support patients.

We’re hiring 750 more nurses to slash ED wait times by up to 20 per cent.

That helps get ambulances back out on the road faster.

Only Labor backs paramedics

When Liberals were last in Government, they went to war with our paramedics.

Labor increased the number of paramedics on the road by 50 per cent and made them the highest paid in Australia.

We introduced mandatory minimum sentencing for assaulting an on-duty emergency worker.

Now we’re delivering Australia’s first Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine at Victoria University in Sunshine – training up to 1,500 students and paramedics a year.

It’s all at risk under a Liberal–One Nation Coalition Government making $40 billion in cuts and Americanising our health system.

They’ll have to sack 31,700 frontline workers – that includes paramedics.

Fewer paramedics, fewer nurses, longer waits.

Quotes attributable to Premier Ben Carroll

“If you threaten a paramedic at work, you’ll pay.”

“You won’t just face criminal charges – you could lose your Ambulance cover entirely.”

“I’ll never forget when Liberals went to war with our paramedics. Their priorities haven’t changed. They’re still planning to cut health.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt

“Labor stands with health workers.”

“We’re also expanding 12 hospital emergency departments to cut ED wait times by as much as 20 per cent.”

“Labor will slash emergency department wait times, Liberals will just slash emergency departments.”