The latest publicly available data from the Victorian Agency for Health Information shows Victoria’s ambulance service is continuing to decline from years of under resourcing and denial from the Allan Labor Government.
Fewer than 2 in 3 (64.1 per cent) of Code 1 Ambulance Victorian responses occur within the benchmark 15 minute period, with the local government areas (LGAs) of eastern Victoria reporting some of the state’s worst response times.
Debating a motion in state parliament, The Nationals’ Melina Bath said Labor cannot manage the health system, and Victorians, especially those in regional communities are paying the price.
“We know the Ambulance Inquiry highlighted a system in crisis with issues ranging from under resourcing to dangerous delays.
“The report is a damning indictment of the Allan Government who has ignored warning after warning that the ambulance system was spiralling into dysfunction.
“Paramedics are working 18 hour shifts with outdated equipment – we cannot expect lifesaving performance from a workforce running on exhaustion.
“Labor’s ambulance crisis is leaving patients in limbo and paramedics frustrated.”
Ms Bath said regional people deserve better than a government that refuses scrutiny, suppresses performance data and ignores its own failures.
“Instead of providing transparency, the Allan Government keeps dodging accountability which tells us everything about its priorities.
“The performance of Ambulance Victoria is the direct result of years of under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial from the Allan Government.
“Every minute lost in a time critical emergency can mean the difference between life and death.
“The Nationals will continue to fight for the reforms, resources and transparency needed to restore confidence in our ambulance service, support paramedics and protect Victorian lives.”
90th percentile response time for high priority, time critical incidents (priority 1) July – Sept 2025
| Bass Coast | 32.09 minutes |
| Baw Baw | 30.71 minutes |
| Cardinia | 32.16 minutes |
| East Gippsland | 38.35 minutes |
| Latrobe | 23.67 minutes |
| Mornington Peninsula | 27.66 minutes |
| South Gippsland | 37.22 minutes |
| Wellington | 35.60 minutes |
| Yarra Ranges | 32.73 minutes |
SOURCE – Department of Health, Victoria Health Services Performance, High Priority, time critical incidents (Priority code1)
