Ambulance Active Spring 2011Published By Countrywide Austral

02 SPRING 2011 

Injured flight 

paramedic rebuilds life 

• National register critical for public safety 

• community paramedic model flawed

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Regulars 

From the President 05 

Profile 10 

States of Activity 12 

Active Places: Community 

Paramedic Model Flawed 24 

Active Women: Mums 

returning to work – 

what are the options? 

27 

In Brief 29 

Contacts 35 

Volume 1 Issue 2 SPRING 2011 

Ambulance Active 

Official Publication of National 

Council of Ambulance Unions 

publisher 

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editorial 

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18 

FEATURES 

06 

16 

18 

29 

National Registration 

of Paramedics 

Putting the genie put back 

in the bottle 

The fight to build a new life 

WA’s mining boom 

30 Photos 

33 

36 

Welcoming NT’s new 

paramedic educator 

Caption this 

Jamie Jackway rebuilds his life after a tragic helicopter 

accident, which left him a paraplegic. 

06 

NCAU continues its fight for professional registration 

of paramedics, nationally. 

Disclaimer: Countrywide Austral (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the National Council of Ambulance Unions 

and the publication is offered for background information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents 

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president HEADER 

STEVE McGhie, President, NCAU 

the PRESIdent 

Welcome to the second edition 

of Ambulance Active. The first issue, 

which was published in July, received 

an excellent response from members. 

I encourage you all to participate in 

sharing information among the ambulance 

community through the journal, or through 

the website which was launched in August. 

As with most websites, there were some 

technical glitches with registration at the 

start. These have now been sorted out and 

the membership of the site is growing each 

day. These are two new communication 

avenues the NCAU has put in place to 

provide better two-way communication 

between the unions around the country 

and the members. 

A more traditional means of 

communication, our annual convention, 

was held in September. About 50 people 

travelled to Melbourne for the two day 

conference. It was very pleasing to see 

each state represented and I congratulate 

all of the unions for their participation in 

the NCAU 2011 Convention. In addition 

to a round-up of activities from each state, 

and robust discussion about the big issues, 

we were fortunate to have a number of 

guest speakers. Thanks to Ray Bange, 

the national Policy Advisor to Paramedics 

Australasia. His presentation about current 

“ Thank you to all of the states for participating 

in the NCAU over the past 12 months and to all 

union members, thank you for your support.” 

developments on registration provided 

excellent insight into the potential 

landscape of paramedic practice under 

a registration model similar to other 

health professionals. Jim Arneman also 

presented on this topic from a more 

localised perspective. Jim has also penned 

an excellent article on the subject of 

national registration in this current issue of 

Ambulance Active. Other issues identified 

during the conference included national 

education and competency standards, 

ramping up at hospitals, workload and 

resources. Working groups are now 

being established to research these 

issues individually in order to reach a 

consensus on lobbying tactics that are 

consistent nationwide. 

Enterprise bargaining is a long and hard 

task but is a critical part of our work for 

our members. Congratulations to Western 

Australia, Northern Territory, New South 

Wales and Queensland for mounting 

successful wage outcomes. South 

Australia and Australian Capital Territory 

are currently in negotiations and we wish 

them support and good luck. Victoria and 

Tasmania will commence their negotiations 

in 2012. 

The NCAU has appointed former 

NCAU National Secretary Jim Arneman 

to the position of executive officer. Jim 

will assist us in communicating and 

liaising with members, and will drive the 

professional registration issue along with 

other duties. 

I would like to express my thanks to the 

executive of the NCAU for all of their hard 

work this year – Tim Jacobson, Steve 

Mitchell, Phil Palmer, Wayne Carty and 

Greg Bruce. Thank you to all of the states 

for participating in the NCAU over the 

past 12 months and to all union members, 

thank you for your support. On behalf of 

the executive, I wish you all a safe and 

happy holiday season. 

AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2011 

05

national registration 

National 

Registration 

of Paramedics 

NCAU working hard to move forward to a 

national registration for all paramedics in 

Australia. Photo: Anthony Woodcock. 

Jim Arneman 

The National Council of 

Ambulance Unions (NCAU) was conceived 

to advance the interests of members of 

affiliated unions. It provides a national 

voice on those issues that transcend 

state and territory boundaries. National 

registration of paramedics is clearly 

such an issue. It has been identified and 

confirmed as the priority issue for the 

NCAU at our last three annual conferences. 

The debate around national registration is 

complicated. It is intertwined with professional 

recognition and educational accreditation. 

It is made more difficult because, unlike 

nursing, medicine and many allied health 

disciplines, there are no current state or 

territory paramedic registration models. 

It is new territory for Australian paramedics. 

For some, it is seen as a precursor to 

professional recognition. For others, it is 

a further layer of bureaucracy, cost and 

compliance. Is there a need for registration? 

What form will it take? What will it involve? 

What Is National Registration 

and AccrediTATion? 

The Council of Australian Government’s 

(COAG) National Registration and 

Accreditation Scheme for health professions is 

premised on dealing with workforce shortages 

and pressures faced by the Australian health 

workforce in the face of escalating demand. 

It is a key component of the Federal 

Government’s National Health Reform agenda. 

Initially, the scheme concentrated on 10 

health professions with existing state and 

territory based registration schemes in place. 

These schemes limited health professionals 

to practising in a single jurisdiction. 1 

National Registration Boards, established 

by the Australian Health Practitioner 

Regulation Agency (AHPRA), develop 

registration standards, codes and guidelines; 

maintain databases of registered practitioners 

that are available to the public; are 

responsible for accreditation of educational 

standards and approved programs of study; 

oversee investigations into professional 

conduct, performance or health/impairment 

issues affecting health professionals; and 

ensure appropriate organisations investigate 

community concerns about individually 

registered health practitioners. They may 

also credential overseas health professional 

applications for Australian registration. 

A single national registration and 

accreditation system enables health 

professionals to practice around the country 

more easily. Stand-alone registration 

reduces red tape by negating the need for 

health professionals to be registered in each 

state or territory. It also provides greater 

safeguards for the public, and is designed 

to promote a more flexible, responsive and 

sustainable health workforce. 2 

Where is the process at? 

National registration for the original 10 

professions commenced in 2010. A further 

four professions are expected to achieve 

national registration in mid 2012. 

In February 2010, the Australian Health 

Workforce Ministerial Council received 

a proposal from the Western Australian 

government to add paramedics to the 

National Registration and Accreditation 

Scheme prior to July 2014. In principle, 

agreement has since been given to advance 

this proposal. The Western Australian 

Department of Health has been designated as 

the lead agency in the Paramedic Registration 

Project, which is expected to commence 

consulting on a potential national paramedic 

registration proposal in the near future. 

06 AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2011


Why has NCAU 

prioritised this as an 

issue for unions? 

While pay and conditions will always be 

the primary focus for unions representing 

paramedics, increasingly we have 

become involved in issues affecting the 

professional practice of our members. 

Union engagement, with the introduction 

of various certificates to practice models 

in different states and territories, is a good 

recent example where active involvement 

has protected and enhanced members’ 

access to CTP leave, paid training and 

professional development in a number 

of jurisdictions. National Registration 

will potentially throw up a multitude of 

professional practice considerations that 

will impact on union members. 

The introduction of a single national 

registration scheme to paramedics provides 

opportunities for portability of qualifications 

between jurisdictions, offshore recognition 

and career development. It will require a 

single national set of agreed competencies, 

specifying the qualifications required for 

different levels of practice. Educational 

programs will have to be accredited in line 

with these standards. Many complaints, 

and fitness to practice concerns, will be 

managed by registration boards. There 

will be increased responsibility and 

accountability for registered professionals. 


There will be a cost for initial registration 

and annual certification. It is likely that not 

all current practitioners will make the cut, 

necessitating grandfathering arrangements. 

Unions have a role in ensuring the 

interests of members are at the forefront of 

all the above considerations. 

What are NCAU’s registration 

objectives? 

NCAU’s initial goals were to 

• Achieve national registration of 

paramedics 

• Formulate a formal submission to 

AHMC/COAG seeking Regulated Status 

for paramedics 

• Achieve 

representation 

on both state and 

national pre-hospital 

Registration Boards. 

Clearly, NCAU’s role as a 

peak representative body for 

paramedic unions means it is 

uniquely positioned to represent 

the industrial/professional interests 

of members as the registration process 

unfolds. NCAU’s rationale for becoming 

involved in the registration process are 

centred on the following considerations: 

Public safety - to ensure consistent 

standards of care to protect the community 

A flexible and responsive paramedic 

workforce - A cohesive framework to allow 

a national standard with an underpinning 

set of geographical and regional service 

delivery models (based on the needs 

of individual states, territories and 

communities). This is an important facet of 

COAG’s national health agenda 

Portability of qualifications - a simple, 

nationally recognised, framework to 

allow straight forward transfers between 

jurisdictions would be a considerable 

benefit for paramedics wishing to move 

around Australia 

Brand protection - protection of the 

name paramedic or registered paramedic 

would ensure consistent professional and 

07


“ In an era of increasing private involvement in ambulance work, and 

a multiplicity of employers, (a national register) is a critical component 

of ensuring standards and protecting public safety.” 

clinical standards nationally. It would also 

potentially enable industrial organisations 

to protect against influxes of nonaccredited/registered 

pre-hospital care 

providers into the workplace by controlling 

access to registration 

Red tape reduction - to ensure scarce 

funding and resources are maximised 

in terms of delivering high-quality prehospital 

care to the community and not 

wasted on unnecessary duplication and 

administration across jurisdictions 

National register - would allow the public 

to identify paramedics that have achieved 

registration by making it unlawful for a 

person who is not on the list of registered 

paramedics to hold themselves out as one. 

In an era of increasing private involvement 

in ambulance work, and a multiplicity of 

employers, this is a critical component 

of ensuring standards and protecting 

public safety 

Role overlap - The face of the national 

health workforce is changing. A system 

in which silo professions are becoming 

obsolete and there is an impediment 

to provide holistic patient care. There is 

growing emphasis on multi-disciplinary 

teamwork and role overlap, where some of 

the work of one profession overlaps that 

of other. A national registration scheme 

should allow allied health professionals, 

nurses and paramedics, to perform some 

roles or tasks that have traditionally been 

those of medical practitioners. While some 

might see this as a threat, it can also be 

a significant opportunity to enhance our 

members’ professional development 

Conclusion 

In addition to national registration of 

health practitioners, the Australian Health 

Ministers Advisory Council notes that 

accreditation of service providers to ensure 

national consistency of interventions, 

competencies, accountability, transparent 

reporting and equitable treatment of 

the workforce in both the public and 

private domains, should also be a 

priority. At present, state, territory and 

private employers of paramedics are 

not accredited and there are significant 

variations to clinical practice scopes 

and standards across jurisdictions. Many 

prominent commentators have observed 

that employer-led accreditation of 

paramedic practice has failed in Australia. 

National registration would go some way 

to addressing this failure. 

Finally, there has been extensive criticism 

by unions over time of individual services 

being the judge and jury on matters of 

clinical practice and professional conduct. 

A number of parliamentary and Auditor 

General enquiries have highlighted the 

potential for these disciplinary proceedings 

to be used in a punitive fashion. Allegations 

of bullying and harassment by managers 

have been raised. An independent and 

transparent process for handling complaints 

would perhaps be 

the major benefit of 

a unified National 

Registration scheme 

for paramedics. The 

public interest would 

be better served, 

and principles of 

natural justice more 

readily protected 

for union members. 

It is generally 

agreed that 


of paramedics will 

progress at some 

stage. NCAU is 

committed to 

engaging in this 

process, both to 

take advantages of 

any opportunities 

for members 

and as well as 

defending their 

industrial interests. 

For information on paramedic registration schemes already 

in operation overseas visit: 

College of Paramedics, Alberta, Canada 

www.collegeofparamedics.org 

Health Professions Council United Kingdom 

www.hpc-uk.org 

About the author: 

Jim Arneman worked as an Advanced 

Life Support qualified paramedic for the 

Ambulance Service of NSW for more than 

22 years, including nearly 10 years as the 

staff elected Director on the Ambulance 

Board. He worked for three years as a 

union organiser and served two terms as 

the Secretary of NCAU. He maintains a 

strong interest in clinical governance and 

professional paramedic practice issues. 

He will shortly commence employment 

with the ACT Ambulance Service. Contact 

at jarneman@ceinternet.com.au 

Footnotes 

1 Full details can be found at the 

Australian Health Practitioner 

Regulation Agency website 

http://www.ahpra.gov.au 

2 Australian Health Workforce Online 

http://www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp 

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PROFILE HEADER 

Ambulance Employees Association WA 

Vice President 

Donelle Carver 

Experienced WA 

paramedic Donelle 

Carver has held the 

position of Ambulance 

Employees 

Association WA 

(AEAWA) Vice 

President since 2009, 

a position once 

dominated by men 

in an industry where 

she believes work 

place issues are still 

centred around male 

employees. 

Donelle’s interest in unions, and industrial issues, stems from 

her childhood. Raised in Manly, NSW, Donelle’s father was the 

Plumbers Union Shop Steward at Jervois Bay, where she spent 

many days watching her father resolve, and sometimes create, 

issues – depending on what was happening. 

Before moving to WA, Donelle worked as a hairdresser in the 

leafy Sydney suburb of Mosman where she dealt with the bayside 

elite. A trip west was an ideal time to explore the world and what 

else it had to offer. 

On arrival in the capital city, she stumbled across an 

advertisement for non-emergency transport officers with the 

Ambulance Service WA. Her application was successful and 

the new job opened her eyes to the world of a paramedic, 

and emergency care. It was a career she became determined 

to pursue. 

Donelle was accepted into the Paramedic Science Degree at 

Edith Cowan University. In addition to studying and raising two 

young children, she continued working weekends as a transport 

officer. She described entering university as a mature aged 

student and mother being made somewhat easier through union 

activity, where advocators had successfully negotiated generous 

maternity and paternity leave options that enabled her to do it all. 

In January 2006, Donelle entered the Ambulance Service 

Induction School and was on-road in May of that year. 

Shortly after commencing, she was rostered with John Thomas, 

the current President of the AEAWA and a 30 year veteran of 

the industry. “It was unbelievable the knowledge and input that 

John had in the day-to-day operations of the service,” she said. 

“For a period of time I thought I was his personal assistant there 

were that many calls coming to the station and the vehicle, 

it was endless.” 

It was this interaction that sparked Donelle’s interest in the 

union. After three years working alongside John, Donelle decided 

it was time to step-up, get involved and take control of the 

direction of her future. 

Following her graduation from Edith Cowan University, Donelle 

was invited to become involved with future development of 

the Bachelor course. She was also asked to sit on the Flinders 

Steering group, which reviews all university based courses 

associated with the industry. 

Since being elected Vice President of the AEAWA, she has 

become an activist for female conditions in the service, Enterprise 

Agreement negotiator, and representative for transport officers. 

Donelle has received many accolades for her involvement in the 

industry and recently won a Bravery Award for a call, which at her 

own initiative, orchestrated the rescue and retrieval of a critical 

young man from a well. 

Donelle recently travelled to Kununurra, in the far north of WA 

as a relief rural remote paramedic to examine the role and see the 

problems or positives associated with this role. A report has been 

forwarded to management with a range of recommendations for 

change. 

Donelle has also become involved with the National Council 

of Ambulance Unions through her association with the AEAWA 

and continues to be involved with issues that affect paramedics 

on a national basis. 

Read Donelle’s article about her posting in Kununurra on 

page 24. 

10 

AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2011

Australian 

owned and 

operated

NCAU ACTIVE 

Queensland 

Determination outcomes and 

Enterprise Bargaining 2012 

The current Queensland Industrial Relations 

Commission (QIRC) Determination has 

seen ambulance officers receive wage 

increases, added classification levels and 

higher pay points, as well as improved 

conditions such as increased sick leave 

and retention of entitlements that the 

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) 

sought to remove. 

The final wage increase was applied in 

October 2011. Compared to the rates paid 

at the end of the 2005 agreement, this 

saw all ambulance officers receive wage 

increases between 17.5 and 21.5 percent. 

These increases represent a significant 

milestone in the ongoing campaign for 

better wages and conditions for Queensland 

ambulance members. However, there are 

no further increases applicable in the current 

Determination, which expires in September 

2012. Any further pay rises will need to 

be sought in a new agreement between 

United Voice and QAS. 

As we move towards the next round of 

negotiations, we have to recognise that 

even though the overall outcome was a win, 

the last round did not deliver everything 

members wanted. In order to be ready 

for what will certainly be another intense 

campaign, we must ensure that we have the 

strength and resources to work together 

for a better reward, and recognition. 

United Voice (QLD) State Council met 

recently to begin preliminary preparation 

for the Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. 

Discussions focused on the process 

leading up to bargaining and preparations 

for the Log of Claims. 

Recent Industrial wins 

United Voice has been successful in a 

number of applications to the QIRC, which 

have resulted in increases for Queensland 

ambulance officers. These include increases 

to the Broken Meal Allowance as well as 

the Community Education Allowance. 

We also appeared, along with the 

Queensland Council of Unions, in the 2011 

State Wage Case. The concluding decision 

raised minimum award rates by 3.4 percent 

and increased allowances for mine skills, 

on-site and aerial ambulance. 

An application made by United Voice 

to amend the Ambulance Services Award 

was also successful in achieving greater 

outcomes for members. The award now 

includes the new classification structure, 

relativities, additional pay points and the 

July 2010 pay rates. The new minimum rates 

include previous Enterprise Bargaining 

increases, two interim determination 

increases, translational increases from the 

new structure, and the additional increase 

from the State Wage Case. 

These amendments have increased 

the minimum award rates by a significant 

amount and became operative on 1 

October 2011. 

EMD National Medal 

Congratulations to all involved in the recent 

recognition, by the Department of Prime 

Minister and Cabinet, of the amendments 

to the eligibility criteria for the national 

medal to include emergency medical 

despatchers (EMD). Collective action by 

officers from across all sectors of QAS 

highlighted the need for recognition of 

the role of EMDs and their highly deserved 

eligibility for this award. 

Tasmania 

Tasmanian paramedics are 

looking at facing even more pressure over 

the next three years following the Tasmanian 

State Government’s announcement to slash 

$100.2 m from the health budget. Cuts, 

which are unprecedented in the Tasmanian 

health system, are likely to have a serious 

effect on ambulance officers already 

feeling the pressure under rising demand. 

Ambulance Tasmania had previously 

been promised increased funding under 

the Government’s forward estimates to deal 

with increased caseload (foreshadowed to 

increase this year by 6 percent) but now 

Ambulance Tasmania is faced with a $2.5 

million cut from its current expenditure. 

It is likely further cuts will be announced 

in the next budget in the Government’s 

attempt to bring the state into surplus. 

At this stage, the $2.5 million budget cut 

has been made in non-operational areas, 

however paramedics remain concerned 

about the future and the increased pressure 

associated with rising demand. 

Tasmanian unions are campaigning 

against the cuts, given that the most 

severe are across the Department of 

Health and Human Services. Major 

community rallies occurred between the 

end of October and early November. 

Tasmanian paramedics are continuing to 

maintain a strong workplace presence with 

regard to a multitude of industrial matters 

before them. 

Health and Community Services Union 

(HACSU) has recently advised Ambulance 

Tasmania that it believes their Paramedic 

Specialist Classification proposal for flight 

and helicopter paramedics has no merit, 

following significant negotiations and 

Industrial Commission hearings regarding the 

possible establishment of such an allowance. 

While HACSU and paramedic members 

have been seeking for the establishment 

of a specialist classification, it was rejected, 

as the detail did not address the concerns 

of our members. 

Bullying and harassment remains an 

area of concern for members. HACSU and 

Ambulance Tasmania have signed a joint 

statement regarding this issue. More work 

is required to address this issue and stamp 

out bullying and harassment. 

Removing on road crews to fulfil 

commercial contacts (horse racing, 

car racing and commercially oriented 

community events) is a practice that 

Ambulance Tasmania continues to support. 

Over a recent weekend, three crews were 

dispatched from their local stations to cover 

events. This is unacceptable, particularly 

at a time where demand is increasing and 

funding is decreasing. The union continues 

to advise the community via media channels 

where crews are utilised for this purpose. 

Lack of resources remains the most 

significant factor affecting HACSU 

Ambulance Employees Sub Branch (AESB) 

members. HACSU is continuing to lobby 

all sides of politics to have this matter 

addressed once and for all. In such a 

challenging economic environment, this is a 

difficult task but we continue to use all means 

available to have the matter addressed. 

Finally, the AESB is continuing to work on 

the development of its Professional Rates/ 

12 


NCAU ACTIVE 

Work Value case. To date, significant time has 

been allocated to developing and accessing 

a range of resources required to implement 

the best possible case for members. AESB 

executive members have contributed 

many hours comparing the Clinical Practice 

Guidelines, education standards and other 

matters that existed when the last work 

value case was handed down. HACSU is 

continuing to brief its barrister and seek 

further advice on case development. 

Western 

Australia 

2011-2014 Certified Agreement 

for ambulance personnel is almost 

complete with the drafting stage taking 

longer than anticipated prior to going to 

ballot of all members. 

This has been a subdued negotiation 

in comparison to past campaigns and the 

union believes it has delivered a decent 

wage and conditions outcome without any 

loss of existing working conditions. 

This campaign saw a different approach 

from the union bargaining team in that, 

historically, all sections of ambulance workers 

have been negotiated at the one time this 

often led to protracted debate in relation to 

each section. The agreement was negotiated 

individually with members from each section 

and the union executive, which we believe 

delivered a more streamlined and relevant 

claim resulting in an accelerated outcome. 

The following table is a condensed version 

of the claim with what was asked and what 

was accepted (to be endorsed by members) 

Paramedics/ambulance Officers 

• 6 percent wage increase per annum 

for three year agreement. Offered 

5 percent per annum on wages and 

allowances. (Agreed) 

• Increased personal leave from 96 hours 

to 120 hours per annum. (Agreed) 

• Increased flexibility in annual leave 


allocation. (Agreed) 

• Increase time off in lieu to 96 hours per 

session. (Agreed) 

• Formulation of policy and procedure 

to decrease fatigue issues in the 

workplace. (Agreed) 

• Examine the night shift hours to 

reduce shift to bring into line with 

other shift lengths without reduction 

of entitlements. (Agreed) 

There are also a number of subtle changes 

in other areas including rostering, which 

will not impact on the current conditions. 

NO TRADE OFFS 

Transport officers 


for three year agreement. Offered 

5 percent per annum on wages and 

allowances. (Agreed) 

• Increase personal leave from 96 hours 

to 120 hours per annum. (Agreed) 



• Increase time off in lieu to 76 hours 

per session. (Agreed) 

• Examine the skills set of current 

transport and call rollout. (Agreed) 

• Develop a pathway for officers to 

paramedic. (Agreed) 

NO TRADE OFFS 

Communications officers 


for three year agreement. Offered 10 

percent plus 5 percent plus 5 percent 

on wages and allowances.(Agreed) 

• An allowance for radio operators. 

Offered $5 per hour. (Agreed) 

• 10 minute break every hour from computer 

screen duties. Offered 10 minute breaks 

excluding first and last hour and the 

hour during meal break. (Agreed) 



• Introduction of alternative shift 

patterns to be family friendly. 

(Agreed subject to staffing/ 

recruitment/retention) 

• Minimum staffing levels within centre. 

(Agreed) 

There are a number of other issues in 

relation to ergonomic requests within the 

centre, which are being examined outside 

of the agreement. 

NO TRADE OFFS 

The offer was backdated to 1 July 2011. 

The previous Certified Agreement 

negotiations had been quite protracted 

due to industrial action to achieve what 

was seen as substantial gains in wages. It 

is believed that due to the Government’s 

investment, and ambulance expansion 

programmes, minimal disruption was 

anticipated to achieve the benchmarks set 

by the state in improving response times 

and enticing recruitment. 

The Ambulance Employees Association 

WA believes the offer, which should be 

completed to go to membership shortly, 

will be endorsed. 

I would like to thank the officers who 

spent many hours researching and 

negotiating these conditions, many of 

them in their own time. 

ACT 

Delegate Training 

Transport Workers Union (TWU) 

delegates recently undertook a twoday 

training course conducted by the 

ACTU, with a focus on negotiation skills. 

Delegates received instruction on a 

number of strategies on winning in the 

workplace, including insightful training on 

emotional intelligence. 

Service Growth 

The fruits of sustained campaigning by 

the TWU to increase frontline staff are 

coming to bear, with new staff employed 

in communications and operations. The 

ACT Government has responded to TWU 

representations to increase the ACT 

Ambulance Services (ACTAS) budget. The 

TWU will continue to monitor resourcing 

and workload demands, and will maintain 

vigilance to ensure that with increased 

staffing across the ACTAS, that member’s 

access to leave is improved. 

NSW 

HSUeast is leading a number of 

major campaigns along with attending 

to individual issues including member 

underpayments and representing 

members involved in disciplinary matters. 

A statewide campaign commenced in 

September with the aim of addressing the 

need for the NSW Government to increase 

the number of paramedics. The HSUeast 

13

NCAU ACTIVE 

has been in dispute with the Ambulance 

Service of NSW (ASNSW) over its treatment 

of officers experiencing difficulties with the 

introduction of a new qualification, Certificate 

IV Level, for all frontline supervisors. A number 

of members in rural NSW have not been able 

to complete the course work due to heavy 

workloads and have been threatened with 

demotion. A dispute with the ASNSW over 

increasing incidences of single officer crewing 

and responses has highlighted the need to 

increase staff to minimise the incidence of 

single officer crewing and response. 

Other issues include: 

• Rostering dispute in metropolitan Sydney 

• HSUeast has pursued the Ambulance 

Service of NSW in the NSW Industrial 

Relations Commission (IRC) following its 

introduction of three afternoon shifts in 

Sydney without consultation. 

• Response time dispute 

• HSUeast has been highlighting the effects 

of poor ambulance response times that 

have resulted from new guidelines used by 

the Controls (Communications) Division. 

• Attempted introduction of critical care 

classification 

In September the Services Aero 

Medical Division attempted to introduce 

a component of critical care training for 

Intensive Care Paramedics working on 

ASNSW helicopters. HSUeast is opposing 

this introduction of programs. The matter 

will be pursued in the NSW IRC if current 

negotiations do not resolve the matter. 

Victoria 

On 4 October 2011, the Ambulance 

Employees Australia (AEAVIC) and 

Ambulance Victoria circulated a detailed 

document, as a joint bulletin, about how 

fixed term reliever appointments would 

work in rural branches throughout Victoria. 

In the following weeks, the union attended 

13 meetings around Victoria at rural branch 

locations. The attitude to the proposal was 

mixed, and there was not a clear mandate 

to proceed. As a consequence, the union 

conducted an online vote on the proposal. 

The result was 30.8 percent in favour, and 

69.2 percent against. Members pointed 

out that where branch rosters had an on 

call component, employees forced into the 

reliever position were likely to be financially 

disadvantaged by not working their on call 

shifts. It was also highlighted that at some 

branches, the number of employees eligible 

to be rotated into the reliever position 

was very small. This meant that some 

employees would be doing relieving work 

for the most part of the year. The union 

and Ambulance Victoria will resume their 

positions as applied before the issue went 

to Fair Work Australia. AEA VIC believes 

a reserve system of rostering cannot be 

introduced in rural Victoria. In line with 

current practice, if you are rostered to a 

‘spare line’ and asked to move to another 

location, this should occur within the shift 

and with the use of a service vehicle. Return 

to your normal branch to complete the shift 

at the rostered finish time, unless otherwise 

agreed between yourself and management. 

AEAVIC is calling on members to look 

after their own health and safety after it 

was brought to the attention of the union 

that a paramedic had responded to a call 

as a single officer, they were then forced 

to transport the patient to hospital by 

themselves. Members should be aware that 

when responding to any case as a single 

officer, Occupational Health and Safety 

issues should be remembered, including: 

• Only respond in a code 2 capacity (not 

lights and sirens) 

• Request immediate back up 

• Do not enter a scene if in doubt about 

your own safety 

• Transport patients only when attended 

by a two person crew 

Do not be pressured into transporting 

a patient by yourself. 

South Australia 

State Government Budget 

The 2010 State Budget held some nasty 

surprises for public sector workers, which 

of course includes ambulance service 

staff. The ALP Government legislated to 

remove award and Enterprise Bargaining 

conditions. It removed leave loading from 

all non-shift workers, and the additional six 

days per annum accrual of Long Service 

Leave for all employees with 15 or more 

years’ service. The Ambulance Employees 

Association SA, in conjunction with its 

state union colleagues, mounted a spirited 

challenge to the decision. The campaign 

included mass rallies, and a battle for the 

hearts and mind of the SA public. We called 

for the restoration of the lost conditions, 

the restoration of real labour values in the 

Government, and for a change in leadership. 

We have since won the leave loading 

back and the political demise of former 

SA Premier Mike Rann and senior Minister 

Kevin Foley (both resigned in October 2011), 

and we are continuing to negotiate the 

recouping of long service leave entitlements, 

or of some agreeable alternative. The 

AEASA is not affiliated with any political 

party, but is proudly affiliated with the union 

movement, and proud of our united and 

successful attack on out-of-touch politicians. 

Enterprise Bargaining 

We have probably broken some record in 

the time it has taken to negotiate the latest 

deal. Discussions commenced in January 

2010, and at the time of writing the deal is 

still not finalised. 

The delay has become somewhat of an 

advantage however, as in the middle of 

our discussions earlier this year, the Police 

Union struck a 10 p ercent over three years 

deal, after all other public sector workers 

had accepted 7.5 percent. The police deal 

became our mantra from that time on. 

The deal is still not finalised, but very close. 

Resourcing – Road 

and CommuniCATions 

The AEASA and SA Ambulance Service 

(SASS) have been resourcing issues in 

earnest all year. Statistics suggest that 

a significant aspect of the problem is 

insufficient Patient Transport Services 

resources to meet elective workload 

demand, which pushes that work up to the 

second tier, the Emergency Support Service. 

SAAS are obviously hoping that putting 

on more resources at patient transport 

services level will relieve the pressure for 

more paramedics. 

We do not believe they will get away 

without increasing resources at all three levels. 

Overpayment of professional 

rATES back-PAy 

As a result of the AEASA’s successful 

professional rates case, members received 

significant amounts of back pay – there 

were many instances of $30,000 and some 

much higher. 

Unfortunately, for about 200 of our 

members, the Whole of Government pay 

office (Shared Services) bungled their 

back-pay calculations and overpaid them, 

once again for some members these were 

significant amounts (tens of thousands). 

The AEASA has negotiated a reasonable 

repayment deal, where no member has 

to pay more than 3.88 percent of their 

fortnightly pay. It was our preference that 

all overpayments be written off, but this 

was not legally achievable. 

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT'S 

HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY, GO TO 

www.ambulanceactive.com.au and choose your 

state on the right hand side. 

14 


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HEADER 

Putting the 

genie put back 

in the bottle 

Phil Palmer, AEASA Secretary 

SA’s zero 

tolerance 

to ramping 

The SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) 

suffers most of the same maladies as those 

facing ambulance workers all over Australia 

– lack of resources both on the road and 

in communications, manifesting in terrible 

crib performance (broken and late), and 

an over-reliance on overtime to keep the 

service running. 

While SA does not have the same 

issue with ramping as other states we 

have not allowed it to gain momentum. 

There was an attempt to start the 

practice here, despite promises by the 

Labor Government during a recent 

election campaign. 

About this time last year, one of our 

major tertiary hospitals, Flinders Medical 

Centre, commenced ramping in another 

guise. They had ambulances lined up 

in the emergency department corridor 

attending to patients while waiting for 

a more definitive handover than triage 

provided. The excuse the hospital 

used was that they were having major 

renovations in the emergency department, 

which required some tolerance from all 

parties - although most of the tolerance 

seemed to be required of the ambos stuck 

in emergency doing the work of nurses 

while being prevented from covering the 

community. I suppose it could be called 

corridoring instead of ramping, but in 

the end they are both a symptom of the 

same thing - bed block in the emergency 

department, which arises from bed block 

elsewhere in the hospital. 


SA (AEASA) commenced campaigning to 

resist the practice by using the media and 

revenue bans to embarrass Flinders Medical 

Centre, and the Government, into fixing 

the issue. The SA Industrial Commission 

issued the following directions: 

1. The AEASA agrees to suspend all 

industrial bans including case cards 

and Cat C transfers 

2. The previous agreement negotiated by 

the parties be reinstated 

3. Flinders Medical Centre management 

to immediately put in place additional 

capacity in the Emergency Department – 

a concept known as Arrivals Model of Care 

4. SA Ambulance management to place 

an appropriate operational officer at 

the Emergency Department whose job 

it will be to liase with the Emergency 

Department and the SAAS State Duty 

manager and ambulance crews in 

an endeavour to mitigate avoidable 

congestion at the Flinders Medical Centre. 


to liaise with NHS management to 

ensure that the movement of patients 

between NHS and Flinders Medical 

Centre takes into account issues of 

congestion at Flinders Medical Centre. 


to place notices in clear view of all 

staff at the Emergency Department, 

which provides appropriate information 

to avoid ramping or congestion 

of ambulances in the Emergency 

Department. The notices will be 

authorised by senior management 

at Flinders Medical Centre. 

16 


HEADER 

Corridoring at Flinders Medical Centre. 

This was a good outcome. However, as 

nothing is straightforward in industrial 

relations, our dispute went through many 

phases including literal ramping rearing 

its ugly head. 

For a time following the initial public 

fuss the problem settled, only to reemerge 

as the peak season progressed 

worse than ever. Although, it never got 

to the magnitude of other states. We 

finally got to the point where we needed 

to once again do some ramping of 

our own. We put together a package 

of horror stories highlighting some 

critical incidents to tug at the heart 

strings of the public and to put the wind 

up the Government. This made front 

page news and got the desired result 

- Health Department officials working 

feverishly to clear beds elsewhere in the 

hospital system to create extra capacity 

to deal with patient surges. In excess of 

100 beds were found. Post-acute patients, 

who could in fact be elsewhere - aged 

care, rural hospital, and convalescence/ 

rehabilitation, were occupying these 

beds. The Health Department has 

committed to an ongoing process 

of improving patient flow through the 

whole hospital system. 

While we were happy with these 

beds becoming available, it is clear 

that a more sustainable solution to 

ramping is increasing capacity systemwide 

so that demand can be met 

within the hospital without involving 

ambulance. The AEASA is advocating 

this position to all the Local Health 

Networks in Adelaide, and gaining 

some traction. 

The genie is indeed back in the 

bottle, but there are isolated incidents 

where a single crew is held on the ramp 

for 25 to 35 minutes, and occasionally 

up to an hour. While this may seem 

like a short time to other states, it is 

not consistent with our zero tolerance 

to ramping policy. We will continue to 

take it up to them until there are no 

incidents at all. 

About the SA 

Ambulance Union 

The Ambulance Employees 

Association of South Australia 

(AEASA) is a small, stand-alone 

union that covers only ambulance 

staff. It has a membership of about 

1,200 and covers 99.5 percent of all 

operational staff in the state. The 

AEASA is not affiliated with any 

political party, nor is it part of any 

large national union. 

The AEASA came into existence 

in 1981 to fight for a professional 

ambulance service in SA, a goal 

achieved in 1989. It then went on to 

continuously improve members’ pay 

and conditions and was successful 

in winning professional recognition 

and pay for paramedics dating from 

1 January 2007. AEASA Secretary 

Phil Palmer was elected in 1987 and 

remains in that position today. 


17

Cover story 

The fight to 

build a new life 

A flight paramedic’s story 

(L-R) Bob Glenister, Richard Galeano, Jamie Jackway and Aaron 

Harper at Jamie’s home under construction, October 2011. 


cover story 

To follow Jamie Jackway’s progress and to donate to the Australian 

National Paramedic Support Foundation please visit www.jja2012im.com 

Jamie Jackway is a QAS Rescue helicopter paramedic. 

In 2009, while on a rescue mission, Jamie was involved in a 

tragic helicopter accident. After 12 months in hospital, and 

another year of continued rehabilitation at home, Jamie and 

wife Melinee have been overwhelmed by the rally of support 

from co-workers and friends. But, facing life as a quadriplegic, 

the challenges for this father of three, are not yet over. 

Aaron Harper, Intensive Care Paramedic 

Jamie Jackway, Thursday Island, June 2009. 

This is the story of an 

inspirational workmate and friend. To the 

many Queensland colleagues who know 

of, or have had the pleasure of meeting, 

Jamie Jackway, everyone would agree he 

is someone you cannot forget. 

Jamie was born and raised in 

Townsville and joined the Queensland 

Ambulance Service (QAS) in 2003, based at 

Townsville Station as a student paramedic. 

Jamie already came with a high level 

of training and professionalism after 

spending seven years as a Medic (Medical 

Corps) in the Australian Army. It was no 

surprise, given his friendly and outgoing 

nature that he fitted in well with his peers 

at Townsville Station. He was affectionately 

known as the Gentle Giant and the only 

real concern was whether he would 

actually fit into the ambulance. Standing 

tall, at 6ft 7inches, that was always going to 

be a challenge. 

Jamie came from a sporting background 

playing State League Basketball and 

volleyball. Admittedly, his height was 

always an advantage. He also played A 

Grade Rugby Union and League. 

In 1998, Jamie married Melinee and 

the couple are parents to three children 

- Noelani, aged 13, Kavakore, nine, and 

Tichalla is six years. Amazingly, but not 

surprisingly given the type of fellow he is, 

Jamie and Melinee also have fulltime care 

of 11 year old nephew Jeremiah. 

After qualifying as an Advanced Care 

Paramedic in 2006, Jamie’s wish was to 

transfer to Thursday Island, located in the 

Torres Strait, and was ultimately successful – 

transferring to QAS Thursday Island Station 

in April 2009. Part of Jamie’s job role was to 

perform flight paramedic duties on a certain 

number of shifts each fortnight. On average, 

each rostered day on the helicopter resulted 

in at least two patient retrievals around the 

Torres Strait. Jamie estimates he would have 

done approximately 60 retrievals during his 

time on the island. 

On 9 November 2009, Jamie had his first 

operational winch. The crew, flying a Bell 412 

helicopter, were tasked to retrieve a cardiac 


19

Cover story 

QAS colleagues visit Jamie in hospital. 

patient from the container ship Maersk 

Duffield, located at sea 132km west of Horn 

Island. Thankfully perhaps, Jamie cannot 

remember the particular events of this day. 

Unfortunately, Jamie and the rescue 

crewman suffered serious injuries during 

the winching operation when they fell 

approximately 10 meters to the ships’ 

deck. Both were injured, Jamie’s injuries 

were critical. He suffered multiple fractures 

to his spine, ribs, both arms and pelvis. He 

also had bilateral haemopneumothoracies. 

Jamie was extricated via another 

helicopter and reports are, although 

initially knocked out, was telling his 

fellow rescuers how to treat him – in true 

paramedic fashion. 

Jamie was soon sedated, ventilated and 

airlifted via a Careflight jet to the Princess 

Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane – a place 

he would call home for the next 12 months. 

After spending the first three months 

overcoming his injuries, Jamie was finally 

released from the intensive care unit to 

the spinal ward for extensive rehabilitation. 

As a result of fractures to his cervical spine, 

and subsequent cord damage, Jamie was 

diagnosed a quadriplegic. 

Having endured many operations and 

much pain during his time in hospital, 

Jamie was not about to give up. He 

found the drive and determination to 

get out of hospital, eager to return home 

to Townsville. The move out of hospital 

required highly specialised equipment 

including a wheelchair and a modified 

Mercedes sprinter van. Melinee recalls 

Jamie’s back seat driving and a few 

funny stories involving Jamie not being 

strapped in. Her strength is amazing 

and Jamie’s sense of humour has 

never changed. 


cover story 

“ From golf days to a Kokoda Trial walk, 

24‐hour marathons, kayaking, running, 

cycling right through to a cupcake 

challenge, if ambos think of it, it happens.” 

Jamie with United Voice officials. 

The cost of Jamie’s care and this 

specialised equipment was significant and 

the process of a Workcover claim began. 

Jamie and Melinee particularly acknowledge 

QAS Workplace Health and Safety 

Paramedic Rod Powell for the enormous 

amount of assistance he gave in this area. 

Jamie and Melinee also became very 

aware of how the ambulance family works 

together. Local ambos assisted with 

renovating Jamie’s two-story townhouse 

in preparation to be sold, enabling the 

Jackway’s to finance a purpose built, and 

wheelchair friendly, home. 

A concerted effort from staff from 

around Queensland was in full swing when 

then QAS Commissioner David Melville 

launched the Jamie Jackway Appeal. 

From golf days to a Kokoda Trial walk, 

24-hour marathons, kayaking, running, 

cycling right through to a cupcake 

challenge, if ambos think of it, it happens. 

The enormous effort of staff ultimately 

gained great community support. The 

donations and offers of help have been 

significant but more work is still to 

be done. 

Businesses right around Queensland 

have donated materials for the muchneeded 

construction of the new 

wheelchair friendly Jackway home 

in Townsville. Concrete, tapware, 

paint and painters, air conditioners, 

solar panels, roofing materials, 

cupboards, windows and doors, the list 

is extensive. With the majority of these 

items donated, the cost to build this new 

home for Jamie and Melinee has been 

greatly reduced. 

Pallet loads of donated materials from 

the southeast corner of Queensland were 

transported for free by Toll Transport – 

all organised by the Transport Workers 

Union. Jamie is a member of United Voice 

(Queensland Ambulance Section) and 

Hall Payne Lawyers are looking after his 

pending legal case. 

The house is currently 80 percent 

complete and the next major working bee 

will include landscaping and irrigation. 

Jamie hopes to be in the new family 

home before Christmas 2011. 

Jamie would like to particularly 

acknowledge the work of the QAS family 

during his time in hospital. Melinee and 

family were provided with a car and motel 

accommodation not far from the hospital. 

QAS Liaison Officers Tony King and Mike 

Day have provided enormous support 

and ensured Jamie and his family never 

went without. 

The Jamie Jackway QAS appeal wound up 

in May 2011 after raising $65,000. This was 

due specifically to the enormous amount of 

work done by fellow ambos Bob Glenister 

and Richard Galeano to form the Jamie 

Jackway 2012 Foundation and, more recently, 

the Australian National Paramedic Support 

Foundation (ANPSF).This foundation was 

formed due to the amount of work underway 

around the state and the need to co-ordinate 

the fine efforts and ensure the needs of 

Jamie and Melinee in the challenge to 

build their new home were met. 

The main aim is to ensure the ANPSF can 

continue to support the Jackway family and 

to ensure that any ambulance staff member 

who may need assistance in the future has 

an established foundation to support them. 

Hopefully this story demonstrates the 

ongoing need for paramedics, who face 

daily challenges right across our country, 

to continue looking out for one another, be 

safe in our workplaces, and know that our 

work mates can and will support each other 

in times of need. Above all, to hopefully 

ensure that we all come home safe from 

our shifts – wherever we may be located. 

Aaron Harper is a QAS ICP Flight 

Paramedic, based at the Townsville 

Emergency Management Queensland 

Airwing.Aaron wrote this article with 

the permission of his friends, Jamie and 

Melinee Jackway, who would like to extend 

their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has 

helped along their journey so far. 

More about Jamie Jackway’s 

amazing journey can be viewed at 

www.ambulanceactive.com.au 

About the ANPSF 

The Australian National Paramedic 

Support Foundation (ANPSF) was 

established as a result of QAS 

paramedic Jamie Jackway, who was 

tragically injured in a rescue chopper 

accident and now faces life as a 

quadriplegic. The foundation is an 

independent not-for-profit charity, 

operated by a voluntary Board 

of Directors and Advisory Board. 

It is a registered 

charity and all 

donations are 

tax deductible. 


21

active places 

Community Paramedic 

model flawed 

Donelle Carver, Vice President Ambulance Employees Association (WA) 

A few months ago I temporarily 

left Perth to board a plane for Kununurra, 

to take up a position as relief for the 

Remote Community Paramedic - a program 

being introduced to support volunteers in 

remote and rural areas in Western Australia. 

Being someone who grew up in the 

beach side suburb of Manly in Sydney, 

and living in the WA capital since the early 

1990s, the word remote took on another 

meaning to that of the device that opens 

your garage door. 

My core role was to encourage, train, 

mentor and support volunteers to 

perform the everyday ambulance calls and 

intervene when Advance Life Support skills 

were required. 

Kununurra is located in the centre of the 

Kimberley region with picturesque scenery 

and world-renowned attractions like the 

Bungle Bungle Ranges, El Questro Station 

and the Gibb River Road, which attract 

thousands of tourists to the region each year. 

During my time there, we received 

several calls to gorges along the Gibb 

River Road, which required multiple 

agency responses due to the remoteness, 

and often prolonged periods to attend and 

retrieve patients due to no aerial assistance. 

On three occasions I was called to areas 

for rescue and spent on average between 

12 and 15 hours, and travelled up to 600 

kilometres on a round trip attending these 

“ I am of the opinion that the Community Remote 

Paramedic model is flawed and does not work 

well in extremely remote areas like the Kimberley 

region of Western Australia.” 

calls, with volunteers who donate their 

time to the community. 

One call, which is prominent in my mind, 

was a vehicle rollover on the Gibb River 

Road some 300 kilometres south-south-west 

of Kununurra. A volunteer crew responded 

in the Mercedes van, while I was in the 

personnel carrier alongside a volunteer 

officer. The police followed shortly after. 

The call was late in the afternoon and by 

dusk we arrived to cross the Pentecost 

River. The ambulance became stranded 

and as night fell, police officers were on the 

bonnet of their vehicle with firearms keeping 

the inquisitive crocodiles at bay while we 

winched the ambulance out of the river. 

We finally reached the scene and 

discovered a female with a spinal 

fracture and others with simple fractures 

and bruising. Attempts were made to 

evacuate by the Flying Doctor but no 

suitable airstrip was nearby. A lengthy 

road trip back to Kununurra was the only 

option, arriving at 1 am the next morning. 

The injured woman was flown out of 

Kununurra with a C2 spine fracture. 

After nine weeks, and virtually attending 

calls as a single responder, I am of the 

opinion that the Community Remote 

Paramedic model is flawed and does not 

work well in extremely remote areas like 

the Kimberley region of Western Australia. 

The expectations of the organisation 

and the community are that, as the only 

paramedic within the community and 

region, you are expected to be available 

24/7 while attempting to take adequate 

down time to battle fatigue. 

I believe that it is a greater expectation 

to rely on volunteer staffing and support to 

provide a frontline paramedical service in 

an area as remote as the Kimberley region, 

knowing that many calls are high acuity 

and potentially time consuming. 

I can say that the experience I gained, the 

sights I saw, and the types of calls I attended, 

would be hard matched by any officer at 

any station at any location in the country. 

Postcards 

from 

Kununurra 

24 


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Active Women 

Mums returning to work – 

what are the options? 

Donelle Carver, Paramedic Bsc, Vice President AEAWA 

Photo: St John Ambulance (WA) 

Many female paramedics are facing leaving the ambulance industry as un-family friendly rosters continue to disadvantage women returning to work after having a baby. 

“So, I’ve had my baby and I want to come back to work 

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This is basically to preserve the current 

format of the 224 and 4x4 roster patterns, 

and also simplify the rolled-in-rate 

agreement for pay. 

Many officers returning to work are not 

suited by the rotating roster pattern of 

full time or job share, and casual work is 

intermittent to say the least. 

With the current expansion of vehicles 

programmed in the current financial 

year, officers who are not returning from 

maternity leave are being denied job share 

positions, which are being reserved for 

mothers, but this has officers who have 

family responsibilities up in arms. 

Management and union are both 

seeking a fair and equitable resolution 

to this increasing problem and acknowledge 

that experienced and qualified paramedics 

are leaving the service due to the inability 

to work within a family friendly roster. 

The organisation is attempting to fast 

track paramedics with many direct entrants 

coming from other countries and interstate 

services, however this is a process 

that will take some years to keep the 

metropolitan and country fleet expanding 

at a manageable rate and accommodate 

officers wishing to continue in their 

chosen career. 

It is fair to say the challenge is ahead 

and we are actively looking at other state’s 

programs, especially Victoria, which recently 

introduced a handbook jointly produced 

by Ambulance Victoria members and 

management on policy for nursing mothers. 

We are actively working to keep WA 

members satisfied and the expansion so 

desperately needed moving forward. 


27

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HEADER 

WA’s mining boom 

Consuming the workforce and paramedics 

John Thomas, President Ambulance Employees Association (WA), Paramedic BSc ASM 

Every time you turn on the 

television there is some form of advertising 

for the mining industry, and nowhere is 

more prevalent than in Western Australia’s 

booming north-west region. 

With the current environment attracting 

more than 50 paramedics a year out of 

the workforce for industrial contracts, 

and the prediction that this number will 

almost double over the next few years, the 

ambulance service is facing a dilemma. 

A State Government announcement 

about the upcoming Wheatstone Project, 

located off the Pilbara coast, is rumoured 

to attract a further 26 paramedics. 

Paramedic resources in the metropolitan 

region are often strained by commitments 

to the mining sector, which are currently 

addressed through overtime coverage 

and crew shortages. This most likely will 

be compounded by the mining industry’s 

unquenchable thirst for onsite paramedics. 

The Ambulance Service WA has begun 

looking to supplement its obligation to 

the mining sector by offering positions to 

suitably qualified paramedics from other 

services within Australia. 

The WA mining boom is causing strain on metropolitan paramedic resources. 

This has been a necessary option due to 

the expansion commitment given for rural 

and remote Western Australia to increase 

the current paramedics by almost 50 

officers into rural and remote areas over the 

next three years. 

It is a challenge that both management 

and union face to enable the current service 

to grow to meet increasing workloads 

and also service the mining industry that 

enables our members to diversify their work 

and lifestyle for a rewarding remuneration. 

The unknown quantity is the expansion 

rumoured in the mining industry alone 

within Western Australia will surely see the 

current commitment double in the next 

five years, along with rural townships that 

will also require increased resources. 

The challenge will surely be to produce 

enough paramedics in the coming years 

to supplement the increasing ambulance 

requirement and also satisfy an everexpanding 

mining industry that has an 

endless thirst for paramedics. 

In Brief 

Fatigue Risk 

Management Policy 

Queensland 

Ambulance Service 

(QAS) is preparing 

a Fatigue Risk 

Management Policy 

in consultation with 

United Voice (QLD). 

Management of fatigue is paramount 

to the welfare of United Voice members, 

and to the safe delivery of services to the 

community. The policy is a significant move 

forward and United Voice has endorsed the 

process and the implementation of a trial. 

The development of a policy was 

directed by the Queensland Industrial 

Relations Committee, and is due for 

completion by July 2012. Members are 

encouraged to raise any areas of concern 

to enable United Voice to effectively review 

and amend the policy. 

Communications 

Centre roster 

Health And Community Services Union 

Tasmania (HACSU) is proposing changes 

to the communications centre roster 

that would see the introduction of a 4x5 

roster rather that the standard 4x4 service 

roster. The proposal also includes a new 

classification structure with new roles. 

Members have recently rejected this 

management proposal, partially because 

the information provided by Ambulance 

Tasmania was incomplete and because of 

the significant work/life balance that would 

affect members who were subject to a 

significant roster 

change. Members 

stand to lose 

significant salary 

as a result of the 

change to the 

proposed roster. 

TWU Survey 

The Trade 

Workers Union 

(TWU) ACT has 

completed the 

2011 Ambulance Members Survey, ahead 

of negotiations for the new Enterprise 

Agreement. Members were surveyed 

on all aspects of working in the ACT 

Ambulance Service, from conditions and 

entitlements to job satisfaction, challenges 

and opportunities, organisation structure 

and strategic direction. 

The survey was deliberately broad 

and holistic in approach, and will not 

only be used to inform key objectives 

in the upcoming Enterprise Agreement 

negotiations, but will be a useful tool to 

assist the TWU to respond to members 

concerns, in particular to improve work/life 

balance issues. More than 80 percent of 

front-line officers responded to the survey. 


29

flashback 

Events that helped 

shape history 

ACTAS ICPs Karen Yanik, Ben Lynch, Commissioner Deegan and TWU 

Counsel, Barrister Adam Hatcher. 

ACTAS ICPs demonstrate CBR equipment. 

After years of determination, the Transport 

Workers Union (TWU) Work Value case of 2010, which was 

independently arbitrated in the office of Fair Work Australia, 

represented the most significant Work Value decision in recent 

history. The TWU ran a successful public campaign over several 

years while preparing its case, which successfully delivered 

professional recognition for ACT Intensive Care Paramedics. 

This recognition set the benchmark for salaries paid to Ambulance 

Officers, delivering an increase in base wage rates of over 21 

percent for ACT Paramedics. As part of its campaign, a clinical 

skills demonstration day was held in 2009, with the guest of 

honour being Fair Work Australia Commissioner Barbara Deegan. 

Fair Work Australia Commissioner Deegan and ACTAS General Manager 

Operations Matt Smith on board the SouthCare Helicopter. 

ACTAS Flight ICP Paul Hardie demonstrates a 

static winch. 

Ben Lynch and Karen Yanik run through a scenario. 

ACTAS Flight ICPs display retrieval packs: Counsel for the ACT Government Geofery Robinson (crouched) 

Geofery Wang, Commissioner Deegan, TWU Official Ben Sweaney, Counsel for the TWU Adam Hatcher. 

30 


HEADER PHOTOS 

(L-R) Alan Colley and Danny Hill. 

NCAU 2011 Convention 

1-2 September 2011 

Melbourne, Victoria 

(L-R) Jenny Ayres and Richard Crosara from Police Credit Co-op. 

(L-R) Greg Bruce, Jim Arneman and Paul Wilkinson. 

Convention attendees pay attention to a presentation on Professional 

Registration by Jim Arneman. 

(L-R) Amanda Kaczmarek, Tony Davis and Ray Bange. 

(L-R) Greg Bruce, Steve McGhie, Wayne Carty and Steve Mitchell. 


31

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Contact PC Planning on 13 63 73 and press 5 or 

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appropriate for you. Before you make any decision to acquire any income protection 

scheme product you should obtain and consider further information about the 

terms & conditions, including premiums, available from PC Planning, 121 Cardigan 

St Carlton or by calling 13 63 73. PC Planning is a business name of Police 

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active HEADER people 

Welcoming NT’s new 

Paramedic Educator 

After almost two decades on the road, 

Victorian paramedic Olga Bartasek has 

travelled the long road to Darwin to 

embark on a new career. 

The former Team Manager at 

Romsey and two year old son Nathan 

moved from the family’s nine-acre property 

in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges region in 

November, in time to start work with St 

John Ambulance as a paramedic educator. 

Olga’s husband, Martin, who will 

also start an exciting new career as a 

commercial pilot with a local airline early 

next year, initially sparked the move. 

Martin and six year old Liam will make the 

move after the family spends Christmas 

together in Victoria. 

“While the move interstate was primarily 

for Martin’s work, I was also exploring 

different career options and teaching has 

always appealed to me,” she said. 

“After 19 years on the road, the last 10 

as team manager, I am looking forward to 

this new educator’s role,” Olga said. 

St John Ambulance will start a new 

paramedic recruitment program in 2012, 

different to many other states, where on 

the job training will be supplemented with 

a three-year degree from Perth-based 

tertiary institute Edith Cowan University. 

“The course in Darwin seems an ideal 

model – on the job training coupled with 

academic, studies,” Olga said. 

“There are advantages to both academic 

and time on ambulance models, but in 

Darwin, the combination means graduates 

have the theoretical knowledge in addition 

to getting to know the practical aspect 

of the job and learn to work closely in 

their community.” 

The new course starts next year and 

Olga will be teaching within the Associate 

Diploma course, registered with Edith 

Cowan University, while retaining her 

paramedic skill set and being available 

to go out on the road if required. 

“I’m expecting the on-road environment 

to be quite different to what I’ve been 

used to also,” Olga said. 

“In the Northern Territory, St John 

Ambulance still has two stretchers in their 

vehicles, and two passenger seats in the 

rear of the vehicle. I have been told it is 

not uncommon to have four patients in 

the ambulance at the one time. 

“The organisation still has a large 

number of volunteers they don’t have 

their own helicopters, they use a 

private company, whereas in Victoria 

we have had the choice of four owned 

and operated helicopters in different 

corners of the state. The other obvious 

difference, and challenge, will be the 

distances. Sometimes, we will be travelling 

200-400 kilometers away from the 

nearest hospital.” 

In addition to the career change 

opportunity, the paramedic educator 

position brings with it the family friendly 

hours that Olga requires for her family 

circumstances. 

“I can work Monday to Friday with no 

nights or weekend work,” she said. 

“Having Nathan on my own with 

no family or ready-made friends, and 

therefore needing childcare, means day 

time work was important to secure.” 

While Olga and her family were 

fortunate that the paramedic educator 

position was available, the ambulance 

industry too was lucky to not loose one 

if its most experienced professionals. 

Held in high esteem from colleagues 

around the country, Olga’s keen interest 

in Industrial Relations means she has 

played a key advocacy role on behalf 

of paramedics. 

“I have a strong passion for advocating 

for paramedics in the field, always striving 

to maintain equality and fairness in the 

“ I have a strong passion for advocating for 

paramedics in the field, always striving to maintain 

equality and fairness in the workplace in addition 

to upholding basic moral rights,” she said. 

workplace in addition to upholding basic 

moral rights,” she said. 

Olga has appeared at press conferences 

to highlight the shortage of paramedics 

and the effect it was having on existing 

resources. On this issue, she has also 

lobbied her local MPs over three major 

towns in the Macedon Ranges region 

having only one single officer on shift, 

effectively doing the job on their own. In 

collaboration with Ambulance Employees 

Australia (VIC), her efforts locally have 

resulted in Woodend now being staffed 24 

hours a day, and an increase in resources at 

the Gisborne and Kyneton station to two 

paramedics on shift. 


33

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CONTACTS 

Australian Capital Territory 

Steve Mitchell 

E: smitchell@homemail.com.au 

P: 0416 170 477 

New South Wales 

Greg Bruce 

E: GBruce@ambulance.nsw.gov.au 

P: 0408020609 

Northern Territory 

Peter Schultz 

E: pwnschultz@bigpond.com 

P: 0417 831 890 

Queensland 

Jeanette Temperley 

E: jeanette.temperley@unitedvoice.org.au 

P: 07 3291 4683 

South Australia 

Phil Palmer and Wayne Carty 

E: info@aeasa.com.au 

P: 08 83403511 

Tasmania 

Tim Jacobson 

E: tim@hacsutas.net.au 

P: 1300 88 00 32 

Victoria 

Steve McGhie 

E: steve.mcghie@unitedvoice.org.au 

P: 03 9235 7661 

Western Australia 

John Thomas 

E: tomo@iinet.net.au 

P: 0411 129797 

Editor Ambulance Active Journal and Website 

Kristi High 

E: Kristi@puffafish.com.au 

P: 0407 366 466 


35

competition 

Caption This 

For your chance to WIN Christmas cash 

Simply go to www.ambulanceactive.com.au and register your caption for this photo inside 

the Forum section on the website. 

Only members of the website can participate. Haven’t registered? It’s easy. Just choose a 

username and password and follow the prompts. Once you’re signed-up, you can enjoy all 

the benefits of a social networking site that is exclusively for Ambulance Union members 

around the country. 

The Editor will select the top three captions and ask the members to decide. 

Prizes: 

First: $100 

Second: $50 

Third: $25 

Winners will be announced on www.ambulanceactive.com.au on 16 December 2011. 

36 


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Wanted 

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Tel: 02 9516 0124 

Fax: 02 9516 0149 

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Email: Loreleym@bigpond.net.au

Ambulance Active Spring 2011Published By Countrywide Austral

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