Ambulance Victoria review – Update 3 (24 February 2021)

24 February 2021

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

In ordinary times, this is the point of a review where I would be out in AV workplaces, talking with each of you in person. But, since I can’t do that, at least not for a little while longer, I wanted to share with you a brief video (filmed at home under COVID-conditions with the help of my children).

In the video, I talk about the Commission’s role as an independent reviewer and how you can affect real change within AV by participating in the review.

What’s happening with the review? 

Since my last update, my team and I have been busy talking with a wide range of current and former employees and first responders/volunteers. As at 22 February, we had:

• received 295 enquiries about the review
• conducted 16 confidential interviews, with a further 43 interviews scheduled
• received 21 written submissions
• held 4 information sessions, with further information sessions planned
• met regularly with the unions and other key stakeholders.

Our online survey opens on 3 March

On Wednesday, 3 March, the Commission will begin our online survey of current and former employees and first responders/volunteers. This confidential survey has been designed to help us understand your experiences of:

• discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and/or bullying (whether directly or witnessing or hearing about it)
• accessing flexible work
• accessing reasonable adjustments
• other aspects of workplace equality (for example, accessing or returning to work after parental leave).

Current and former employees and first responders/volunteers can complete the confidential survey between 3 and 31 March 2021. Current employees and first responders/volunteers will automatically receive a unique link to the survey. Former employees and first responders/volunteers must first register their interest in completing the survey by emailing AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au, after which they will receive a unique link to the survey.

Survey responses will be kept confidential. You will not be asked to provide your name. Your responses will inform the findings and recommendations in our final report. Survey results will be de-identified in the report.

Our Expert Panel held its first meeting on 9 February  

On 9 February, I chaired the first meeting of our independent Expert Panel, established to provide strategic advice to the Commission on the conduct of the review. This might, for example, include matters related to the research methodology and leading research on issues relevant to the Terms of Reference.

It is a privilege to be joined on the panel by:

• Tim Cartwright APM, Vice President, Berry Street
• Dr Mya Cubitt, Emergency and Acute Medical Unit Physician, Victorian Chair of the Australian College of Emergency Medicine
• Adam Fennessy PSM, Victorian Public Sector Commissioner
• Michelle Fyfe APM, Chief Executive Officer, St John WA
• Dr Victor Sojo Monzon, Senior Lecturer in Leadership, The University of Melbourne.

You can read more about the Expert Panel on our website shortly.

How do I get more information about the review?

To find out more about the review, including how you can participate, you can contact the Commission via our dedicated telephone hotline (1300 395 726) and email address (AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au). You can also read more about the review online.

I look forward to hearing from you and maybe even seeing some of you in interviews and focus groups.

Take care

Kristen Hilton
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner