A Victorian family left stranded in their moment of need was slapped with an almost $2,000 bill two-months after the Andrews Labor Government refused to investigate their case.
Earlier this year, the Walter family was unable to get an ambulance despite multiple calls to triple-zero when their 15-month-old son, Lawson, stopped breathing.
Fortunately, after taking matters into their own hands, Lawson received the treatment he needed and has made a full recovery.
Following this incident in May, Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, raised the issue in the Victorian Parliament and called on Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes to order an investigation into the incident.
Despite acknowledging her responsibility for Victoria's triple-zero service, Ms Symes response that 'it is not my role to make that direction.'
Weeks after declining the investigate this matter,the Walter family deeply distressed to receive a $1894.00 bill from Ambulance Victoria for a service they never received.
Had the Andrews Government taken responsibility and investigated this matter, the Walter family never would've been slapped with this unfair bill.
Further, when speaking yesterday, Government Minister Lily D'Ambrosio declined to apologise to the family, insteadstating that it 'would imagine' a review would be undertaken.
Rather than reverting to its usual response of deflection and spin, the Government could have acted proactively and provided real solutions to support the Walter family and ensure cases like Lawson's aren't repeated.
It is only after media reports that the family were told to pay nearly two thousand dollars to Ambulance Victoria that the Government has indicated an investigation may take place.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said the Walter family deserve an apology and a full investigation into their circumstance.
"The Walter family have been failed by a government more concerned with spin and PR than fixing the health crisis they caused," Ms Crozier said.
"If Daniel Andrews had investigated this case, a bill never would've been issued to the Walter family.
"Instead, Labor point-blank refused to help and as a consequence this family has had the added stressed of receiving a bill for help that never came.
"Victorians can see through this façade. Only a new government will fix this health crisis."
