Liberals, ambulance union tensions hit new high over scathing letter

Tensions between the ambulance union and the state opposition have reached new highs, after the union rejected multiple invitations to meet with the Liberals.

Tensions between the ambulance union and the state opposition have reached new highs, after the union rejected multiple invitations to meet with the Liberals.

In a letter to Mr Speirs obtained by The Advertiser, Ambulance Employees Association general secretary Leah Watkins said she could not adequately convey the level of distress felt by members who had to attend cases after significant delays because the service was not properly funded.

She said paramedics who suffered “moral injury” because of working conditions under previous Liberal government are not willing to have an amicable relationship with the now-opposition.

Opposition Leader David Speirs at a press conference. Picture: Emma Brasier

“Given how raw the emotions still are, it is difficult to perceive how any trust in your party might be restored to a level where amicable relations might be able to be resumed,” she said.

Mr Speirs fired back on ABC Radio Adelaide, calling the comments “immature” after the union boss said the relationship between members and the Liberal Party was “trashed”.

“I think Leah Watkins made her bed yesterday when she said multiple times that the relationship is trashed,” he said on Thursday morning.

“Pretty immature response from Leah Watkins to be honest and really disappointing.”

There had been an attempt at extending an olive branch with the union, Mr Spiers said.

“Back in April I called Leah Watkins and I said, ‘look I want to put a line in the sand, reset this relationship’.”

Among her initial statements Ms Watkins said the Liberals had continued their criticism of the AEA post-election, and a no-confidence motion passed when they were in government remains the union’s position now the party is in opposition.

“There is currently no motivation or perceived benefit for the AEA to re-engage with your party on any issue related to its members,” she said.

Ambulance Employees Association general secretary Leah Watkins at their Hindmarsh HQ. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Speirs had twice written to Ms Watkins extending an invitation to meet and discuss the challenges of the state’s health system.

He said it was “bitterly disappointing” the AEA was refusing to meet with the opposition given “we all share the same goal to improve South Australia's health system and fix ramping”.

“I’m calling on the AEA to lay down its guns and stop fighting yesterday’s war. We have to work together to fix ramping,” he said.

Mr Speirs said the letter showed the AEA hierarchy was stuck in the past, and it was difficult to know if their sentiment was a true representation of what paramedics on the ground are truly thinking and feeling.

“It seems illogical that paramedics would be so focused and dedicated to an old political grudge instead of saving lives and doing the great job that they do in South Australia every day,” he said.

Originally published as Liberals, ambulance union tensions hit new high over scathing letter