Arabic version: حزب العمال يتعهد بفرض رسوم إسعاف على المرضى المسيئين

According to ABC News, Victorian Labor has pledged to revoke Ambulance Victoria memberships from patients who abuse, threaten or assault paramedics if it is re-elected next month. The proposal would require affected patients to pay for ambulance care, with costs of more than $2,000.

Premier Ben Carroll said the policy would target people who assault, intimidate or threaten paramedics. Memberships would be revoked for 12 months under the proposed system, while repeat offenders or people involved in a violent episode could face immediate suspension. Labor also plans a new patient charter developed by the government and Ambulance Victoria.

Ambulance Victoria would make the final decision on whether a patient had been abusive and should lose membership. The government said 59 per cent of Ambulance Victoria union members had been threatened with violence in the past year, while 28 per cent had been assaulted. Acting Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Olga Bartasek welcomed the proposal, saying violence against paramedics was escalating.

Australian Medical Association president Simon Judkins said health workers were entitled to a safe workplace, but urged careful implementation so vulnerable people were not unfairly penalised. He cited patients with dementia, delirium or unmet mental health needs. Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association spokesperson David Taylor also backed protections for ambulance workers while warning that financial penalties or reduced access to health services could worsen disadvantage for people with serious needs.