Treasurer Rob Lucas has welcomed a decision made by the President of the SA Employment Tribunal, The Hon Justice Steven Dolphin, today to order the Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) to engage in mediation with the State Government over the union's ongoing industrial dispute.
"We welcome this development and hope that, ultimately, it leads to sensible discussions, which is something the Government has long been calling for," Mr Lucas said.
"The Government has always been willing to negotiate fairly and sensibly with the union, in the interests of hardworking paramedics and all South Australians, as we strive to further improve our ambulance service.
"As we have indicated publicly, the Government remains willing to provide further additional resources to the ambulance service so long as the union agrees to sensible industrial reforms, including in relation to rosters (shorter shifts) and meal breaks, and the cessation of all industrial action.
"We remain of the view that the only way to resolve this industrial dispute is for there to be compromise on both sides.
"We look forward to working together in the interests of trying to resolve these issues."
