SA Labor calls on government to implement 30 measures to address ramping in Tuesday’s state budget

SA Labor leader Peter Malinauskas has challenged the Premier to implement a raft of measures in Tuesday’s state budget to end the ramping crisis.

Hiring more paramedics, posting additional ambulance crews to under-serviced areas and increasing the number of drug rehabilitation beds are among 30 immediate budget measures pitched by SA Labor to the state government.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas has released a 30-point plan he says the government should implement in Tuesday’s state budget to address the ongoing ramping crisis.

But, Premier Steven Marshall hit back at the plan, saying he won’t be “taking lessons” from Labor.

The document was created off the back of Labor’s Ramping Crisis Roundtable held last week.

It outlines a number of broad commitments the government should consider, including:

-Immediate and ongoing boost to paramedic numbers

-Boost specialist paramedics for extended care and mental health

-Support priority additional crews in under-serviced locations

-Expand subacute beds

-Boost drug rehabilitation beds

Labor’s document does not outline how many beds should be created or how many paramedics should be hired. It also does not specify how much funding the government should commit to each proposal.

Opposition Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas has called on the government to immediately implement measures to address ramping in Tuesday’s state budget.

Labor has branded the health situation a crisis.

Mr Malinauskas said a more comprehensive Labor policy would be released closer to the March 2022 election.

“But, people can’t wait until March next year to vote for a new policy, they need to see government action immediately, and Tuesday’s state budget presents an opportunity for that,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“Tuesday’s state budget present an opportunity for Steven Marshall to acknowledge the crisis that exists within our health system and start to unwind some of the measures that he put in place that has contributed to this crisis.”

Last month, the Ambulance Employees Association accepted a deal paving the way for hiring 74 more full-time paramedics.

Mr Malinauskas, in the document, called on the government to immediately upgrade SA Ambulance infrastructure.

“The headquarters for SA Ambulance Service is significantly outdated, out of space and has rolling infrastructure and maintenance problems,” Labor’s document says.

“Providing the latest infrastructure and technology to those who co-ordinate our ambulance service will help to enable the best quality outcome for patients.”

Premier Steven Marshall said he won’t be lectured by the Opposition on healthcare.

Mr Marshall said Tuesday’s budget is centred around two key pillars: creating jobs and improving healthcare.

“Let’s be clear, Labor had 16 years in government – the problems we’re experiencing now can be drawn directly back to their incompetence in managing health,” he said.
“So I’m not taking any lessons or any lectures from Labor on healthcare.”

Mr Marshall said Tuesday’s budget would include a “continuation of the massive expansion” of SA emergency departments and a “massive new investment in mental health”.

Treasurer Rob Lucas revealed the budget would have a big focus on a plan to tackle mental health issues, which he argued would have “flow-on benefits” for ramping and overcrowding in hospitals.

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