The ACT Government will be required to release details of ambulance station closures and any associated patient risks after the Legislative Assembly passed a motion ordering greater transparency.
The motion, moved by Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Deborah Morris, compels the government to provide a full list of closures as well as information on any instances of potential patient harm or adverse outcomes linked to staffing shortages.
Ms Morris said the issue was a matter of public safety and accountability.
“Paramedics save lives,” she said.
“Canberrans deserve to know whether persistent understaffing and subsequent station closures is having an impact on the wellbeing of frontline workers and community safety.
“Our ambos are being pushed to the brink. It’s not right that they should suffer in silence while the ACT Government asks us all to look the other way.”
The Assembly order requires the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Marisa Paterson to release the information, increasing scrutiny on how staffing pressures may be affecting ambulance services across the Territory.
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