Triple Zero Victoria (TZV) has set a challenging target: to initiate ambulance dispatches for Code 1 emergencies within 2.5 minutes, at least 90 percent of the time. However, the latest figures reveal that during the 2024-2025 period, the service fell short, achieving this goal for only 80 percent of the most critical emergencies.

The release of these findings coincides with ongoing tensions between healthcare workers and the government over pay. Across the state, a significant number of healthcare professionals remain entangled in a contentious pay dispute.

In a dramatic move, over 10,000 workers from more than 80 healthcare services participated in a strike organized by the Health Worker’s Union. This industrial action, which occurred yesterday, led to the cancellation of thousands of elective surgeries, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

The workers are advocating for a six percent wage increase, a demand that Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas acknowledged, stating the government is “really focused on resolving” the conflict. “I have met with the union, and we’re working hard right now to resolve the dispute,” Thomas assured.

Workers are seeking a six per cent wage increase in a dispute Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas today said the government was “really focused on resolving”.

“I have met with the union, we’re working hard right now to resolve the dispute,” Thomas said.

“I look forward to us being able to do that and getting in place a fair EBA for the hard-working members of the HWU.”

The union has rejected two wage offers from the government since August 2024, which it claimed were both “below-inflation” increases.