Ambulance Victoria boss Jane Miller abruptly quits

Ambulance Victoria’s chief executive has resigned as the embattled service continues to be plagued by a string of crises.

The boss of Victoria’s embattled ambulance service has resigned amid an ongoing industrial dispute and major fraud investigation.

Jane Miller resigned as chief executive on Tuesday following months of mounting pressure and concerns about the leadership of the agency.

Last month, paramedics passed a vote of no-confidence in Ambulance Victoria’s executive citing concerns around the direction of the organisation.

“The biggest factors crippling the ambulance service and our members are hospital ramping and call-taking accuracy,” Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said at the time.

“AV’s response is always ‘that’s out of our control’. The workforce is sick of hearing that.

“The biggest improvements we ever saw to AV performance occurred when the Andrews government appointed an administrator with a specific goal of rebuilding AV as an emergency service.

“The situation now is as dire as it was back then and we need new leadership to break the inertia in AV”.

Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller has resigned. Picture: X

Concerns about the organisation’s leadership were also raised with Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, who refused to publicly back the executive.

In a statement, Ambulance Victoria said Ms Miller — who only took up the role of chief executive in January 2023 — had left to “pursue a new opportunity within the Victorian health sector”.

The media release did not provide any details on the “new opportunity”.

Paramedics have for months been engaged in industrial action as an ongoing battle over a new wage deal edges closer to its two-year mark.

Ambulance communications, clinical support, triage services, rostering and air operations have all been impacted.

The union has been fighting for a better pay deal, improved end of shift management provisions so paramedics can finish their shift on time, and better rural resourcing.

They also want the introduction of shorter night shifts and improved staffing levels to manage resourcing, meal breaks, and crew welfare.

Former Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp AM APM has been appointed Interim CEO. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Jane has seen the organisation through some significant challenges, including leading the post-pandemic recovery, and helping chart a course for ongoing cultural reform and improvement,” board chair Shelly Park said.

“She has been instrumental in the development of AV’s Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028: Transforming for Better and has been an enthusiastic leader in supporting the critical role of our paramedics and first responders.”

Former Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp AM APM has been appointed Interim CEO for a six-month period and will take over from August 21.

Ms Park said Mr Crisp’s appointment would provide the organisation with continuity while they search for a permanent replacement.

“Andrew has had a distinguished 45-year career leading the state through emergencies and at Victoria Police, and AV will benefit from his significant experience and unwavering commitment to keeping Victorians safe,” she said.

Victorian Ambulance general secretary Danny Hill has welcomed the resignation of Ms Hill. Picture: AAP

Last month the Herald Sun revealed the organisation had launched a major fraud investigation amid allegations multiple staff had embezzled a combined $3.5m from the emergency service.

Six workers from the agency’s payroll department were stood down over the alleged scam in which they claimed overtime for hours never worked.

Private investigators were called in to probe the matter after a whistleblower lifted the lid on the fraud last year.

Ms Miller had written to staff in an attempt to show the executive was taking seriously concerns about the high levels of incidental overtime, ramping, fatigue and rostering challenges.

However, latest ambulance data showed the organisation failed to meet its target — to respond to 85 per cent of ‘lights and sirens’ cases within 15 minutes — for the 15th consecutive quarter.

Paramedics reached 64.2 per cent of such calls within time.

Mr Hill welcomed Ms Miller’s resignation and said the agency was supposed to be an emergency service, but had been “heading in the opposite direction” for the past two years.

“New leadership is desperately needed to return Ambulance Victoria to the emergency service it is meant to be,” she said.

“The work involved in fixing the service will be massive but this is the first step in the right direction.

“We welcome the appointment of Andrew Crisp, who has decades of emergency service experience.

“However, there is no time to waste in addressing the concerns that our members have been raising for several years and resolving our 18-month dispute.”

Ms Miller’s resignation comes just weeks after she told the agency she and the executive were committed to working with staff to address issues. Picture: David Geraghty

Ambulance Managers and Professionals Association director Scott Crawford said their members’ decision to also pass a vote of no confidence in leadership was not about one person.

“This was never about any one individual, but the entire organisation and direction it has taken,” he said.

“AMPA has already had proactive engagement with Chair of Ambulance Victoria Ms Shelly Park and Mr Andrew Crisp representing a positive step in the right direction.

“There is a long road to fixing the many issues within Ambulance Victoria, and representatives of the workforce remain willing and eager to engage in good faith.”

Ms Miller’s resignation comes just weeks after she told the agency she and the executive were committed to working with staff to address issues, in wake of the ‘no confidence’ vote.

In an email to staff seen by the Herald Sun, Ms Miller — writing on behalf of the whole executive – said they knew “far-reaching change” was needed.

“There is positive change happening at this great organisation, and by working together, we can make it even better,” she said — before resigning less than four weeks later.