The United Workers Union welcomes the commitment to essential services announced in today’s state budget.

This includes centrally funding 60 new ambulance officers in the Queensland Ambulance Service, $485 million to address patient access, and confirmation of the election commitment of 1,139 teacher aides in the next year.

Quotes attributable to United Workers Union Public Sector Director Sharron Caddie:

“In the past month QAS approved new staff to fill holes caused by the ongoing hospital crisis.

“The severe shortfall of ambulance officers out in the community, due to the hospital and health service (HHS) crisis, required QAS to get more bodies on the ground now, whilst the service waits for other funding initiatives to be rolled out and begin to take effect.

“United Workers Union members had called for these places to be centrally funded and remain as additional to the already projected 475 additional ambulance officers over the next four years.

“Today the Palaszczuk Government has delivered and confirmed these positions will be both centrally funded and kept as additional to the already forecast growth figures for the service.

“Queensland’s health services will be supported by record funding of $22.2 billion in health which will assist in addressing the current hospital crisis.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s confirmation of the 1,139 teacher aides within the next year acknowledges the important role teacher aides play in supporting students in our education system.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Ambulance Officer Elliott Rhodes-Bates:

“We are experiencing an exponential number of ambulances remaining ramped across the state due to the current HHS crisis.

“Every day we do the best job we can whilst working within the constraints of a strained health system.

“The commitment in today’s state budget is welcome news.”

ENDS

Media Contact: 1300 898 633, [email protected]