Daniel Andrews must today answer questions over a new 16 second pre-recorded message that plays in response to emergency calls to triple-zero.
This pre-recorded message, as detailed by the media today, delays the time between an emergency call being made and speaking to a trained call-taker by more than three times the 5 second target response time.
With too many Victorians struggling to get a response in their time of need, Daniel Andrews must today answer;
- Why are Victorians calling triple-zero being greeted with a pre-recorded message, rather than a trained emergency call-taker?
- How many Victorians calling triple-zero have hung up during the pre-recorded message?
- How many emergency calls have received this pre-recorded message?
- What impact will this have on emergency responses?
- How will this pre-recorded message impact measurements of triple-zero’s five second response time target?
These changes come as recent figures confirm the Andrews Labor Government cutthe number of full-time equivalent fire, police and ambulance call takers in the 12 months to June 2021.
Role | FTE FY20 | FTE FY21 | FTE Change | Percentage Change |
Police Call Taker | 134.50 | 129.9 | -4.6 | -3.42% |
Fire Call Taker | 29.90 | 25.8 | -4.1 | -13.71% |
Ambulance Call Taker | 120.60 | 118.3 | -2.3 | -1.91% |
Furthermore, during the same period calls to triple-zero increased by around15 per cent.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said during an emergency, every second counts and a pre-recorded message cannot replace speaking to a trained emergency call-taker.
“Daniel Andrews has serious questions to answer today as to why Victorians in need are being met with a pre-record, rather than a real person.”
“Only a Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will end the triple-zero crisis and ensure Victorians in need get the emergency response they deserve.”
