Paramedics across the state are giving ambulance patients free rides in protest over the NSW government’s order they pay for their own Working With Children checks. Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary Steve Pearce says the ban is a protest against the $80 fee, not the check itself. As of 9pm on Wednesday paramedics stopped collecting billing information from patients transported in ambulances. “As emergency services first-responders we are not prepared to pay for something that should be covered by employers,” Mr Pearce said. “Paramedics are really angry, they’re not going to cop this.” He said 16,000 NSW Police and NSW Fire & Rescue staff had already been granted an exemption from the $80 fee. Paramedics are required to have their Working With Children checks by the end of the month, but Mr Pearce said he expects up to 60 per cent of officers to refuse.
March 5, 2018
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery and Eastern Health have a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) on foot before Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E and Conference Room F – Level 6 in Melbourne at 10am.
March 5, 2018
An application by Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (Sch. 6A, Item 5 – Application to terminate a State reference public sector transitional award) will also be heard by Fair Work.
March 5, 2018
An application by Health Services Union (Sch. 6A, Item 4 – Application to make a State reference public sector modern award) will be determined by Fair Work Commissioner Lee in Court 3 – Level 6 in Melbourne at 10am.
March 5, 2018
Under-siege former minister Leesa Vlahos went to ground on Thursday, refusing to answer questions about her handling of the Oakden crisis or address damning criticism of her evidence to an ICAC inquiry into the now-closed nursing home. Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander QC this week heavily criticised Ms Vlahos, who was formerly responsible for the state-run aged care home, labelling her “sullen, belligerent and aggressive” when giving evidence. A day after Mr Lander ruled the former Mental Health Minister had blamed others for failings and took more credit than she deserved for key decisions, Ms Vlahos called police to evict the media.
March 5, 2018
A s.437 (Protected action) application from the Health Services Union involving the Illawarra Retirement Trust (IRT) has been issued by Fair Work Vice President Catanzariti in Sydney on 2 March 2018.
March 5, 2018
INU Health Nuts Pty Ltd is facing a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) before Commissioner Johns in his Sydney chambers (Grant).
March 5, 2018
Odyssey House has a s,372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) to defend before Fair Work Commissioner Johns in Hearing Rom 11-3 – Level 11 in Sydney (Lynch).
