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AAP
AAP
Politics
Callum Godde

'Untenable situation': pressure mounts on ambo boss

Ambulance Victoria CEO Jane Miller is under pressure to resolve a pay dispute with paramedics. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

The boss of Ambulance Victoria has failed to garner the public backing of the Victorian government as another union expresses no confidence in the service's leadership.

Victorian paramedics have staged five months of industrial action after trying to broker a new pay deal with the agency since February 1, 2023.

Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said she had spoken with the chair of Ambulance Victoria's board to express her concern about the "untenable situation" surrounding pay talks.

Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas speaks to media.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has refused to publicly back her ambulance CEO Jane Miller. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

"They are clearly having a significant impact on morale at Ambulance Victoria," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday.

Almost 98 per cent of Victorian Ambulance Union members endorsed a call last week to sack chief executive Jane Miller and appoint new management.

Ms Thomas repeatedly declined to say whether she had confidence in Ms Miller, declaring her focus instead lied with resolving the protracted pay dispute.

"I share the concern of Ambulance Victoria and of our paramedics about the excessive overtime that is currently being worked," she said.

Eighty-five per cent of Ambulance Managers and Professionals Association members also voted in favour of a no-confidence motion in Ambulance Victoria's leadership.

The union, part of Professionals Australia, represents corporate Ambulance Victoria staff, of whom six have been stood down over an alleged embezzlement scam.

The association's Victorian director Scott Crawford said his members had had enough, with the union writing to Ms Thomas to articulate their concerns.

"AMPA members request the government take urgent action to address the failure of leadership at Ambulance Victoria," he said.

"This situation cannot go on.

"Our members will continue to serve the community but cannot serve this leadership."

Ambulance Victoria declined to comment on the latest union vote and minister's comments.

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