The replacement of an ambulance is a decision that should be dictated by safety, not cost or convenience.

We have heard from paramedics and Ambulance Tasmania that their vehicles are unsafe, and their expectation is that they are replaced at 210,000kms.This is an issue of worker and patient safety, and the government should be making sure that they are replacing vehicles based on that as the consideration.

While it is true that other states use 250,000kms, circumstances are different in Tasmania. Inadequate resourcing within the department also means Tasmanian ambulance regularly miss services and safety checks.

The safety of Tasmanian paramedics and their patients should be of paramount concern, and we hope that Ambulance Tasmania will continue to engage with HACSU on how best to keep their incredible and dedicated paramedics safe.

Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Health