Ambulance Victoria leaders have been accused of leaking allegations of a $3.5 million embezzling scam involving six members of its corporate workforce for political reasons.
The staff members were suspended following claims of serious misconduct, Ambulance Victoria confirmed on Thursday.
Chief executive Jane Miller was tipped off to the accusations by an employee in early 2023, with the matter referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) and an internal investigation launched.
"As this matter is under investigation, it is not appropriate to provide any further comment," an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.
The suspended members of the payroll department have been accused of claiming overtime for hours they did not work and not logging on for rostered shifts, multiple outlets report.
The Herald Sun reported the workers allegedly embezzled $3.5 million from the government agency.
Ambulance Managers and Professionals Association Victorian director Scott Crawford said his union, which represent corporate AV staff, was deeply concerned by the leaking of confidential and sensitive information.
Mr Crawford accused senior members of Ambulance Victoria of being behind the leak, suggesting they had thrown their employees under the bus in search of a headline and prejudiced the investigation.
"Our members are gagged," he told reporters in Thursday.
"There is an ongoing investigation and we are unable to comment in relation to the specifics."
Only a select few knew about the investigation and some of the leaked details had not been put to all parties involved, Mr Crawford said.
The union is calling for Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to commission an independent investigation into the source of the leak.
Victorian Ambulance Union members are voting on a motion of no confidence in the AV executive amid stalled pay talks and plan to rally outside the Ms Thomas' electorate office on Friday.
The union's secretary Danny Hill said paramedics were abused on Thursday by members of the public who referenced the story.
"They have absolutely no involvement in this matter and deserve to be treated respectfully," he said.
Premier Jacinta Allan said she was made aware of the allegations on Wednesday and expressed deep concern over the alleged "disgraceful behaviour".
"This alleged behaviour is absolutely unacceptable .. but we do need to let this investigation come to its conclusion to be able to comment further on what further action will no doubt need to be taken to deal with this behaviour," she said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the claims should have been referred to Victoria Police and questioned why "no action" had been taken so long after Ambulance Victoria was alerted.
"It just demonstrates the extent of the chaos and dysfunction that is going on in this very important agency," Ms Crozier said.
The premier would not be drawn on whether the government would consider appointing administrators to run the ambulance service but said she had confidence in its executive team.
An IBAC spokeswoman said the watchdog does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it.
