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Coalition Cuts Ambulance Membership Fees In Half

Yearly Ambulance Victoria membership fees will be slashed in half from July 1, Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe said today.

By Russell Northe - 7th July 2011 - Back to News

Mr Northe said the Victorian Coalition Government had delivered on its pledge to make ambulance membership more affordable for all Victorians.

"From July 1, ambulance membership costs will drop from $150 to $75 a year for families and $75 to $37.50 a year for singles – that is just 20 cents a day for families and 10 cents a day for singles," Mr Northe said.

"This is similar to prices for ambulance membership fees in 1993 when membership cost $70 for families and $35 for singles."

Around two million Victorians are members of the Ambulance Membership Subscription Scheme.

Mr Northe said in the event of an emergency, Ambulance Victoria members do not have to pay transport costs which can exceed $900.

"To treat and transport patients in emergencies is an expensive exercise," Mr Northe said.

"After 11 years of rising cost of living pressures under Labor, the Coalition Government is taking action to reduce these pressures on Latrobe Valley families."

"Victoria’s paramedics are some of the best trained and most experienced paramedics in Australia.

"With 100 per cent cover, and 50 per cent off, there is now simply no reason to risk being caught without Ambulance Victoria membership."

Mr Northe said the cut in membership fee will encourage even more Victorians to join, ensuring people can access ambulance services whenever required without concern for cost.

"We know Victorian families are experiencing rising living costs and deserve cheaper access to our vital ambulance services," Mr Northe said.

"That is why the Government delivered $241.9 million over four years to halve the cost of Ambulance Victoria membership."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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