APA (NSW) is a registered trade union representing the majority of frontline Paramedics working for NSW Ambulance. The union is not politically affiliated. This scorecard is not intended as an endorsement for any political party and is based on all information made available to the union at time of update. This scorecard was last updated 21 March 2023.
Greens, AJP and One Nation
The Greens, AJP and One Nation have all confirmed in writing that they support our We Deserve Better demands.
Labor
We have written to NSW Labor to determine their position. We have not received correspondence back.
NSW Labor have committed to ending the wage cap, and undertaking productivity based bargaining.
APA (NSW) welcomes the commitment to end the wage cap, but has concerns that productivity based bargaining will result in staff having to trade off conditions for wage increases, which is grossly unfair. They have not committed to a specific wage increase for healthcare workers, and as such, have received a yellow tick indicating partial commitment to our demand.
NSW Labor have also committed to increasing the number of regional Paramedics by 500, focusing on regional specialist Paramedics. We welcome this commitment. This is why they have a green tick for the demand of 'more specialist Paramedics'.
NSW Labor have committed to implementing all 44 of the recommendations from the Regional Health Inquiry, while the NSW LNP Government have committed to 41 of 44. These recommendations include expanding Patient Transport services in regional areas and making them 24/7. However, the union has provided both parties with a 'yellow tick' as we are awaiting tangible plans and/or further announcements for the implementation of these recommendations.
The union is not aware of any commitments NSW Labor have made to increasing access to affordable community care.
Liberal
We note that the NSW LNP Government specifically did NOT support the recommendation from the Regional Health Inquiry that more specialist
Paramedics be introduced, and instead only supported profiling the clinical needs of regional communities, and stating that this profiling
already occurs.
NSW Labor have committed to implementing all 44 of the recommendations from the Regional Health Inquiry, while the NSW LNP Government have committed to 41 of 44. These recommendations include expanding Patient Transport services in regional areas and making them 24/7. However, the union has provided both parties with a 'yellow tick' as we are awaiting tangible plans and/or further announcements for the implementation of these recommendations. *
We recognise that the NSW LNP Government introduced an $800m funding package for rural staff attraction & retention, but note that Paramedics have seen very little benefit from this package. Paramedics in rural areas are not provdied with housing, and stations are frequently very run down. As such, this announcement did not change their tick rating.
Our requests of the NSW LNP Government to review & reform triaging have not been meaningfully actioned. They have not provided
Paramedics with a wage increase offer. They have provided some investment in more bulk billing GP clinics, but APA (NSW) has major
concerns that this is not nearly enough. Key community health resources, such as a Mental Health specific ambulance has been stripped out
of South West Sydney during the Liberal Governments term.
Authorised by Alan O'Riordan APA (NSW) Rich Street Marrickville 2204