The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will restore confidence in Triple-Zero calls with a $125 million investment into this critically important service that Victorians rely on, an announcement Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said will be very well received by his local constituents.
“Over the past couple of years, a number of East Gippslanders have contacted my office having experienced significant delays, or not having their calls answered at all, which has been most distressing.
“The reality is they have lost faith in a system that we should have more confidence in.
“The investment will be funded by reprioritising the $35 billion Labor has set aside for the Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line and reinvesting it into the health system,” he said.
A recent report by the independent Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) confirmed that 33 Victorians have died due to Triple-Zero failings.
Furthermore, the IGEM found that the absence of a common IT system and only 16 per cent of staff being trained across multiple services have contributed to poor outcomes.
Therefore, a Liberals and Nationals Government will provide an additional $125 million on top of the $333 million allocated in the 2022-23 budget to fix Triple-Zero, by:
• Upgrading all IT systems including a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and a fully functional new back-up system with sufficient capacity for surge demand,
• facilitating multiple service training for 50 per cent of all call taking and dispatch staff,
• refocusing staff recruitment on frontline call taking and dispatch roles, not corporate positions,
• delivering sustainable ongoing funding, which Triple-Zero has been requesting since 2015.
“Every Victorian deserves to have confidence that when they call Triple-Zero, someone will answer and help will be on the way.”
“This November, Victorians have a clear choice. A Triple-Zero service that works and major investment in the health system more generally, or a train line from Cheltenham to Box Hill in 13 years’ time.”Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin, said the Liberals and Nationals’ comprehensive plan would fix Triple-Zero once and for all.“Our comprehensive plan will get Triple-Zero working again and restore community confidence that help will be there in an emergency.”
