Ambulance Victoria review – Update 14 (28 January 2022)

28 January 2022

Hello

I am pleased to provide the first update for 2022 on the Commission’s Independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria.

Firstly, a very happy New Year to all Ambulance Victoria employees, first responders and your families. While I’m sure many of you were pleased to see the end of 2021, we are once again facing uncertain times with COVID. I know this places even more pressure on Ambulance Victoria and each of you, and I hope you are looking after yourselves and each other.

During challenging times like these, it is important to invest in workplace equality so that everyone at AV can come to work knowing they will be safe, respected and valued.

Since my last update, the Commission published Volume I of the final report (see here), which details our findings and recommendations in relation to safety, respect and trust. All recommendations in the report were accepted by Ambulance Victoria. I’m very pleased to see that AV has begun to implement priority actions. We understand that steps taken so far include, among others:

• consultations to hear and understand staff feedback on the report and senior leadership reflective practice workshops on learnings from the report
• appointing an interim Director to plan and co-design the new complaints and reporting approaches
• advertising for an Executive Director of the new Equality and Workplace Reform Division and scoping further roles for the division
• convening a meeting of experts to scope the restorative justice scheme
• establishing governance and oversights committees, including a staff reference group, to oversee implementation of the reforms.

Work is now also progressing on Volume II, which will focus on equality, fairness and inclusion and will be published in March 2022. Some of the key issues and themes that will be captured in Volume II include:

• equal representation, progression and pay
• workplace flexibility and accessibility
• organisational capability
• oversight, accountability and continual improvement.

Over the coming month, we will consult on our recommendations, to test their feasibility and ensure they are fit-for-purpose. This will include consulting with our Expert Panel, Ambulance Victoria and other key partners, including the various unions and professional associations.

We look forward to keeping you informed as Volume II progresses and sharing details of the launch with you in due course.

Until next month, take care

Ro Allen
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner