Wednesday 18 February 2009

AMBULANCE STRIKE: VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN DELLA BOSCA & LABOR

Industrial action by Ambulance Officers is a vote of no confidence in Health Minister John Della Bosca and the State Labor Government, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

“It is regrettable that ambulance officers have taken industrial action, but they obviously feel they have no other choice,” Mrs Skinner said.

“What this industrial action demonstrates is that Nathan Rees and John Della Bosca are simply not listening to Ambulance Officers and their concerns,” she said.

“After six months of State Labor Government dithering, Ambulance Officers have finally had enough.

“The State Labor Government denied it was going to axe Ambulance Rescue, then axed it, claimed it saved it before axing it again – how does Nathan Rees or John Della Bosca expect the public to believe anything they say?

“After giving Ambulance Rescue officers a 12 month review, the State Labor Government has sacked them in less than 3 months, so much for a fair go.

“Ambulance officers say they have reached the end of their tether and from conversations I’ve had with them I am not surprised at reports that they are expressing ‘anger, disbelief and outrage’ at the State Labor Government’s axing of their rescue service.

“Ambulance Officers have been treated like absolute garbage by John Della Bosca and the State Labor Government.

“Health Minister John Della Bosca needs to wake up and realise he’s the one that is supposed to be running the health system.

“Instead of dreaming of becoming Treasurer, John Della Bosca needs to focus on sorting this mess out before patient care is compromised,” Mrs Skinner said.