The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) review into Ambulance Victoria (AV) has found bullying, discrimination, victimisation, and sexual harassment are rife throughout the service.

“We heard that some leaders at Ambulance Victoria – including senior leaders, managers, and other senior staff – are undermining organisational messaging on a commitment to workplace equality and respectful behaviour by displaying incivility or unlawful workplace behaviours and by failing to call out this behaviour when it occurs.” (Page 296, VEOHRC Independent Review into Workplace Equality in Ambulance Victoria)

AV staff have bravely spoken out about nepotism and discrimination, and no amount of policy and procedure can create a safe workplace when the senior leaders who fostered this culture of workplace harm are in power.

“We also heard that individuals who were known to have perpetrated unlawful conduct in the past at Ambulance Victoria had been promoted to positions of authority.” (Page 281 VEOHRC review)

The community stands with workers that if trust is to be rebuilt within AV, senior leaders responsible for fostering the “boys’ club” and offering promotion and protection to bullies, should be investigated and their employment terminated.

Within AV’s latest People Matters Survey, only 34% of staff said they believed senior leaders demonstrate honesty and integrity.

AV senior leadership has scored the lowest out of 17 Victorian public sector health organisations on integrity, honesty, inclusion and support. (Page 53, People Matters Survey)

5 of the 6 drivers of unlawful and harmful workplace conduct at AV are attributable to the AV Executive. (Page 278 VEOHRC review)

A fundamental shift in culture requires an equally large shift in the senior leadership at Ambulance Victoria to lead the service out of the dark. The committed members of AV’s workforce who have endured years of inaction need to see change today.