A senior Health Department negotiator has been removed from pay talks with Victorian paramedics while an investigation takes place into an alleged fake letter designed to discredit the ambulance union.
Michael Felle, the lead negotiator for the Government in the pay dispute, sent out a letter purporting to be from an anti-union group called “pissed off paramedics”.
It accused the union of having a political agenda in prolonging the paramedic enterprise bargaining negotiations.
The bitter pay dispute between the State Government and paramedics has been running for more than two years.
The union has accused Mr Felle of dirty tricks and an investigation has been launched into the matter.
Health Minister David Davis told 774 ABC Melbourne the negotiator had been removed from the pay talks while an investigation is under way.
“In good faith we’ve asked for information on this and a proper examination and that is being undertaken,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis dismissed the idea that the investigation was being slowed because of the upcoming state election, and countered it was merely being “thorough”.
“I haven’t put a specific timeline on it but I’ve asked them to do this properly in the correct way and to ensure it is done in a way that conforms with proper employment law,” he said.
“It needs to be thorough and clear and I am awaiting a report that will come back to me on this matter.”
The union said the actions by Mr Felle were inappropriate.
“It goes to show how desperate the department, the government has become,” Steve McGhee from Ambulance Employees Australia said.
“They’re trying to drive a wedge between the union and its members.
“It’s a lousy tactic and inappropriate coming from a department official. It’s not the way to bring about a resolution.”
Ambulance Victoria did not comment.
Mr Davis said the investigation is being conducted internally by the Health Department with “an external component”.
But Mr McGhee said he had not been interviewed or contacted about it.
“It seems a bit strange that they would investigate themselves – what are they going to find?” he said.
“The letter focused on the union and myself, and we haven’t been interviewed by anyone from the department. I haven’t spoken to anyone.”