Union slams Ambulance Victoria leadership for 'leaking' probe information
Six Ambulance Victoria employees have been suspended amid an ongoing investigation of embezzlement relating to $3.5 million, according to reports.
The employees were reportedly related to Ambulance Victoria's payroll department and allegedly claimed overtime fraudulently, according to ABC News.
It reported that the allegations were raised in early 2023 and were referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission.
But the Ambulance Managers and Professionals Australia said the "real story" in the case is senior sources in Ambulance Victoria leaking investigation information to the media.
Scott Crawford, Professionals Australia Victorian Director, said there was information in previous reports that was not put out to their members.
"We hold serious concerns about the conduct of senior people in Ambulance Victoria leaking confidential and prejudicial information during an ongoing investigation against their own employees," Crawford said in a statement.
"There is currently an ongoing investigation. The employees involved in that investigation cannot comment on it. They are gagged. What is troubling is that Ambulance Victoria has sought to comment widely in great detail about this sensitive matter."
Crawford accused the leadership team of making a "desperate attempt" to deflect the attention from the workplace culture in the organisation.
"They have thrown their own workforce under the bus. It's widely known that all Ambulance Victoria employees have faced extreme workload pressures and understaffing for years," he stated.
The union then called on the Minister for Ambulance Services to commission an investigation over the leaking of confidential information.
"The community need confidence in Ambulance Victoria and how it holds confidential information and acts with integrity. At the moment, employees and the community cannot trust Ambulance Victoria," Crawford said.
