The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to continuing to support our hardworking first responders.
We know first responders are exposed to stressful situations, which is why we are putting more resources into mental health and wellbeing services for our emergency service workers.
The Government has commenced a Wellness Program with $6 million committed over four years – initiated by the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management. Ambulance Tasmania will also be participating in this program. This is to ensure support is provided to workers in need, and is in addition to other initiatives, such as the existing Employee Assistance Program.
Additionally, Ambulance Tasmania now has a dedicated Human Resources Consultant focusing specifically on mental health and wellbeing. This position proactively supports the physical and mental health of staff and volunteers.
Ambulance Tasmania has also commenced the roll-out of Mental Health First Aid training to peer support and workplace support officers. This training will be provided across the service.
Tasmania Police has a range of responses to mental health risks, including critical incident stress management, mental health wellbeing checks, and Mental Health First Aid training and welfare, including a psychological service, which provides wellbeing checks with all police members working in high-risk areas.
DPFEM commenced Mental Health First Aid training for officers last year, which enables help to be provided to people developing or experiencing mental ill-health. All current officers will receive training over the next four years.
Tasmanian workers, including first responders, are also entitled to claim compensation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if their employment contributed to it. The Government has legislated for an investigation into how PTSD for frontline workers could be recognised in the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
The Tasmanian Government takes the health and wellbeing of our first responders extremely seriously, and we thank them for their commitment to our communities.
That’s why we will also reintroduce legislation for mandatory minimum sentences for serious assaults on emergency service workers – something Labor shamefully voted against last year.
Rebecca White needs to make Labor’s position clear about whether they will support this legislation to protect frontline staff and keep Tasmanians safe.