Allan govt ‘very confident’ in new Victoria boss, Jordan Emery, despite poor wait times record

The Allan government says it has absolute confidence in the new boss of Ambulance Victoria, despite wait times blowing out to the worst in the country under his leadership at Ambulance Tasmania.

The man charged with fixing Victoria’s embattled ambulance service presided over the worst patient wait times in the country.

The Allan government has announced veteran paramedic Jordan Emery as Ambulance Victoria’s new chief executive following an eight-month global search.

Mr Emery is the current head of Ambulance Tasmania, where ambulance wait times have blown out to average of 14.9 minutes — the worst in the nation.

According to Productivity Commission figures released in February, wait times jumped to 15.2 minutes in Hobart in 2023-2024 — up 2.1 minutes over five years.

In comparison, Victoria recorded average wait times of 10.3 minutes.

The Allan government has announced veteran paramedic Jordan Emery as Ambulance Victoria’s new chief executive following an eight-month global search.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas says she has absolute confident in Mr Emery. Picture: Nine News

Despite his record, Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on Thursday said she had absolute confidence in Mr Emery.

“Mr Emery was chosen after an extensive search by the board of Ambulance Victoria — I’m very confident in their selection,” she said.

“We know that ambulance services are under incredible strain, but here in Victoria, we’ve put in place a number of additional pathways to reduce demand on our ambulance service.”

Ms Thomas said she had met with Mr Emery on Wednesday, and that he would begin in the role officially in July.

“Jordan brings with him a wealth of experience, and he shares the commitment of the board and of myself to building the very best ambulance service right here in Victoria,” she said.

Former Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller resigned last year.

Andrew Crisp stepped in as interim chief executive after Ms Miller resigned. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Former Ambulance Victoria boss Jane Miller resigned in August last year after losing a non-confidence vote, prompting Andrew Crisp to step in as interim chief executive.

Mr Emery also previously worked in a senior executive role in the NSW Ambulance service.

In February, Ms Thomas conceded that ramping was the biggest issue facing Victoria’s health system, and that cultural issues needed to be fixed.

At the time, figures showed paramedics responded to just 64.9 per cent of critical Code 1 cases within the statewide target of 15 mins between October and December last year.

The figures marked a decline from the previous quarter.

“It’s really clear that if we are to improve ambulance response times, if we are to end ramping, then we can’t keep doing things the way we’ve always done them and expect for them to be changed,” she had said.

“This is about culture change.

“What’s worked in the past is not going to be fit for the future.”

Mr Emery says it’s a ‘profound privilege’ to have been picked to lead Ambulance Victoria.

Opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier wished Mr Emery luck cleaning up the “complete and utter mess” at Ambulance Victoria.

“Under Labor, there has been a revolving door of AV CEOs,” she said.

“It’s a complete and utter mess.

“Ramping continues, code oranges called frequently, response times in large part are not improving and morale is at all time low.

“This is a massive task — I wish him luck.”

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Emery said it was a “profound privilege” to have been picked to lead Ambulance Victoria.

“I’m so grateful for the support of the Board, Executive team and organisation,” he said.

“Ambulance Victoria has a world class reputation, built on the strengths of its people, research profile and exceptional clinical care.”

Ambulance Victoria Board Chair Shelly Park said she was “delighted to have attracted a leader of Jordan’s calibre”.

Noting that Mr Emery was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, Ms Park said he had “led sustained culture change and reform” across Australian ambulance services.

“The Board looks forward to working with Jordan, the Executive team, and leaders right across the organisation to continue delivering on AV’s strategy to be a world-leading ambulance service focussed on its people, patients and connection with the community.”

Ms Park thanked Mr Crisp was his “outstanding leadership” while in the role, adding that she was looking forward to him returning to the Board on June 30.

Originally published as Allan govt ‘very confident’ in new Victoria boss, Jordan Emery, despite poor wait times record