Mary-Anne Thomas refuses to back in Ambulance Victoria CEO, broader executive

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has refused to declare confidence in Ambulance Victoria executives, following a no-confidence motion from staff.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has refused to back in the besieged Ambulance Victoria executive.

Ms Thomas, speaking outside parliament on Tuesday, said she has expressed her concern to Ambulance Victoria chair Shelly Park about the “untenable situation” surrounding the organisation.

But Ms Thomas refused to answer repeated questions about whether she still has confidence in Ambulance Victoria CEO Jane Miller and the broader executive.

Mary-Anne Thomas refused to answer repeated questions about her confidence in Ambulance Victoria executives. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed a second union made up of managers and corporate staff at Ambulance Victoria – separate to the powerful Victorian Ambulance Union which represents paramedics – wrote to Ms Thomas on Monday to voice their “severe concerns about the current leadership” of the agency.

Ms Thomas said her biggest priority is to resolve the protracted pay dispute with paramedics.

“I share the concern of Ambulance Victoria and about paramedics about the excessive overtime that is currently being worked. This is a key issue of concern for me and the reason why I want to see this matter resolved,” she said.

“The negotiations have gone on for too long ... They are clearly having a significant impact on morale at Ambulance Victoria but the focus has to be on the resolution of the enterprise agreement.

A second ambulance union wrote to Ms Thomas on Monday to voice their “severe concerns about the current leadership” of the agency. Picture: David Crosling

“It’s really important that Ambulance Victoria back in its paramedics and give them the support they need to get on with their life saving work that they perform every single day.”

Ms Thomas also refused to say whether she is considering placing the besieged organisation into administration.

“I have shared with the board chair my priorities for Ambulance Victoria at this point which is to resolve the enterprise agreement and ensure that we have good, effective and strong working relationships between the executives and their staff,” she added.