Ambulance Victoria review – Update 7 (10 June 2021)

10 June 2021

I’m pleased to provide the seventh update on the Commission’s Independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria, and the first following my appointment as Commissioner.

I’m incredibly proud to be involved in this work and build on the foundations in place under the leadership of Commissioner Hilton, supported by the Review Team.

What’s been happening with the review?

On 31 May 2021, we formally concluded the research stage of the review. This is an important milestone, and from here we’ll be turning our minds to formulating our findings and recommendations in advance of publishing our report in November.

To understand the state of workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria, it was critical to hear directly from current and former employees and first responders, and we are very grateful to the significant number of you who have shared your experiences and insights with us.

Over the last four months, we:

• completed 220 confidential interviews with 254 people
• received 140 written submissions
• received 2163 responses to the online workforce survey
• met with staff at AV workplaces on 15 site visits across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria
• sent and received responses to two requests for data, policies and procedures from AV
• undertook a focus group with current and former employees and first responders, exploring how AV promotes and prioritises workplace equality.

We heard from all different parts of AV, from corporate and operational staff, to people in managerial or supervisory roles, students and graduates, to first responders as well as former employees.

You told us about your experiences of workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria, including both examples of good practices and things that are being done well, as well as some of the challenges, barriers and instances of discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and bullying. Many of you provided thoughtful and considered suggestions for improvements and ways that things can be done differently to drive positive and enduring change.

What are the next steps?

Our planned site visits to Wesley Court, Lismore, Mailors Flat, Warrnambool and Norlane in late May were unfortunately postponed due to changes in COVID-19 directions. We’ll be in touch once restrictions begin to ease, advising of the new date for these visits.

Throughout June to October, we’ll be carefully considering the data and information we’ve collected, including assessing AV’s current policies and procedures and developing our recommendations for change.

We’ll keep in touch with you over the coming months to provide updates on the review and as we continue to more deeply analyse what you’ve told us.

I hope to have the opportunity to meet with some of you over the coming months as the Commission and Review Team continue this important work.

Take care

Ro Allen
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner