General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2

Debate resumed from 25 March 2009.

The Hon. ROBYN PARKER [2.30 p.m.]: I appreciate the comments and contributions made by committee members. However, for the Hon. Tony Catanzariti to say that this inquiry was politically driven is to do a huge disservice to the ambulance officers who have suffered a great deal and who continue to suffer in a service that is often dysfunctional and very unsupportive with regard to bullying and harassment. This inquiry was not established as a result of any political pressure but in response to the concerns of ambulance officers themselves. We are talking about very trusted individuals upon whom we rely. That suggestion is an insult and is not substantiated in the number of submissions lodged and the evidence presented to the committee.

The Hon. Christine Robertson made comments about the Ambulance Rescue Service. In fact, she made a very good case for retaining the service under the control of the Ambulance Service. It is absolutely vital in an accident situation that skilled and qualified paramedics are available to deal with a patient or potential patient and to undertake retrieval work. The paramedics who work for the rescue service are the best qualified to do that work.

This Government's treatment of those personnel has been appalling. It is disputed that they received information by text message. What is not disputed is that the service, even in the midst of this inquiry, no longer seems to believe it is important to treat its employees with respect. They should be given adequate information and they should be consulted. They should also receive information about their employment in an appropriate manner. For them to find out in the first instance by text message and later in a letter from the chief executive officer that their services were no longer required and that they would be transferred is appalling. It is a dreadful way to treat employees—none of us would appreciate being treated that way.

The Minister has had plenty of opportunities to reverse this decision, which was made by the unfortunate former Minister for Health, Reba Meagher. The present Minister has flicked the issue to the State Rescue Board. In other words, he has washed his hands of any responsibility. It is an appalling decision and the evidence the committee received does not back it up. It is incorrect to say that these paramedics have career options. The chief executive officer has said that they can transfer to New South Wales Fire Brigades. However, no transfer process seems to have been established to allow that to happen and no recommendation has been made that they transfer to the police rescue service. These are the rescue workers whose skills were used during the Victorian bushfire disaster. Their four-wheel driving, bushcraft, navigation and advanced clinical skills were vital in supporting rural fire services. The crews involved in that exercise displayed total professionalism, which was much appreciated. That appreciation has not been replicated by New South Wales Fire Brigades.

What has changed since the committee handed down its report? I am still getting comments from ambulance officers, and I know that other members of the committee are also still getting them. They tell me that nothing has changed. I have received a number of emails from ambulance officers saying that the bullying and harassment are continuing. Just before Christmas an officer told me that he had not had Christmas Day off for 11 years because the person who did the rostering did not like him. That is the sort of harassment and bullying that goes on. The committee received a great deal of information from officers returning from maternity leave. They say that nothing has changed with regard to negotiating returning to work. An ambulance officer told me that her colleagues give her a very difficult time. They turn off the oxygen tank taps so hard that she needs to use a monkey wrench to move them.

These silly, childish activities should be nipped in the bud. However, there appears to be no support for officers who are being victimised. Bullying and harassment are continuing, yet we still await the Government's response. The committee has been given evidence of numerous examples of ongoing issues and there is still no resolution for many officers who continue to get the same response. Working conditions have been changed to allow for breaks away from the station. However, many of those who are taking that opportunity are bullied and harassed by their superiors to stay on the premises.

The committee will revisit this issue in October. In the meantime, the Government has an opportunity to adopt the committee's recommendations and to tell the House early next month what it has done to implement those recommendations, to reverse the decision about the Ambulance Rescue Service and to provide support to those vital people who provide such a wonderful service. The committee intends to keep pursuing this issue until these people are supported in the way the people of New South Wales expected them to be supported.

Despite committee members having a slightly different view on a number of these issues, we worked very hard together and in good spirit on behalf of these officers to achieve a good result. We acknowledge the problem, as does the Director General of Health, Deborah Piccone. There is a level of bullying and harassment in the Ambulance Service of New South Wales and it must stop and stop now. The committee's recommendations are vital. I thank all participants in the inquiry.

Question—That the House take note of the report—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.