There is more to this than meets the eye (as I think you are pointing out). I don't think a decision 60 years cost the govt, literally, just discussion of the latest project. Not very bright - well it seems from down here that NSW govt is atrocious!

'Other forces' - there has always been an issue with rail and road.
A planning mistake in the past, yes. In the same way big cities in the world often struggle with pre- 19th c planning decisions. Melbourne has a grid - London is a patchwork snarl of roads that evolved. More recently noone seperated road and rail.

It seemed to come to a head this time - with discussion of the West-East link or equivalent. This has been ongoing for a while.

Remember that previous govts had built Citylink etc which is largely a success, really - and that previous govts in the 90s had rejuvenated docklands etc and transformed the way Melbourne attracted people in general to the State, whether residents or tourists.
The East-West is just more of the same.

I am not convinced that people hang everything on ambos and firies.
There was also the thing that the Liberal govt had been very quiet - perhaps way too quiet and then had a change of leader.

Attack the workers? Ambulance and fire service personnel are not the only workers in Victoria. In my experience, public sector workers do nothing but bellyache and act like martyrs expecting everyone else to pay for their seven weeks of annual leave, excessive sick pay, gold plated pensions etc etc. That was a reference to the UK rather than Victoria, but the tone of this and you implying that they are the only "workers" that matter leads me to think it is probably just the same. And yes, I expect Liberals will have to come along soon enough to balance the books again and be the bad guys. Time and time again.

You know why the median strip of the Eastern Freeway is so wide? Because Doncaster rail is supposed to be there!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doncaster_railway_line

Really. Actually were going great guns up here. Things are happening.

Firstly it becomes a sad state of affairs when governments voted out, rather than governments voted in because they can offer more. Secondly it becomes even sadder when the state is voting with regard to federal issues rather than state issues ie GP co payments. - nothing that a state government can control.

I have little sympathy for people who voluntarily take up a job knowing what it pays, then complain about the pay! Remember the fire fighters in the UK and their claim for a 40% increase...ludicrous.

Not sure about the veracity of these numbers but Vic ambos don't seem to be doing too badly to me!

No Cookies | Herald Sun

You can thank your man Tony for that. Any vote I can cast that makes it less likely he can sleep at night is worth it for me! (and I couldn't care less about $7 GP copayments!)

See post 19. Its a sad state of affairs.

First point on this one, is every figure the government has released re the Ambos salary has included the arbitory superannuation that every company in Australia has to pay.... So thats 9.5 pct extra for start off. That fact has infuriated them.... no where else in government circles does this. I think there was talk about the sick leave component being added as a financial figure as well.

You never see that for the 35K people working at the post office for starters... owise we'd all be on 80K per annum using the government system of working the Ambos salary.

Whatever the situation is, the Ambos campaign had a massive effect on the outcome of this election, otherwise Andrews wouldn't have mentioned it early in his winners speech. He said prior to this election he would sack the board... hence they will be gone this week.

It was clear in the article I thought that a 'package' number was being quoted.

So what is Andrews going to offer them...do we know? To send the pay dispute to an independent umpire according to his website...what if it comes back with a worse offer?

I don't deny it's had an impact...ambulances driving around scrawled with political slogans for a year at least has been very noticeable.

But as far as I can remember that Ambulance drivers campaign has been going on since the previous Labour Government, same as for the teachers. They were striking under labour as well. The Libs actually campaigned to make the the teachers the highest paid in Australia. Of course that was just bollocks and never happened.
As for the 50 rail crossings, well they were there the last time Labour was in, they haven't appeared in the last few years. Its just electioneering and the electorate fall for it everytime.
labour will find it much harder this time as the budgets are maxed out.
one thing that is proven is the electorate is not prepared to do some hard yards to fix the escalating debt issues. Australias fantasticly well paid workers are in for some shocks inbthe coming decade.

Public sector employee naivety - it's normal for super to be included in packages. If those whopping 6 figure salaries are inc super they are still doing well indeed - if it is indeed sick money then that arguably reflects a cultural issue. Most people in the private sector do not see sick money as money to spend.

I'm not attacking public workers Ozzie - but I do notice they seem to almost save sick up - and use it - almost as cash to spend...in the private sector you take it - well - when you are sick. I've never met a single private employee who monitors their sick entitlement and decides to spend it if they are not getting through it fast enough (and practically broadcasts it!) Still -that goes back to lower salaries of course.

I thought the gripe was that VIC ambos were paid substantially less than in other states.

IF some of these level crossings happen I will be happy - if they don't then the Labour govt can clear out in 4 years(!)

You hear it often amongst blue collar workers, especially unionised workers where it is literally seen as salary to be used up each year.

Got to admit I've got plenty in the bank for my coming pre retirement years... Trying to earmark some long weekends in 2015. The majority dont use it in the manner described above. However a substantial amount of people (20 pct ?) use the whole lot each year. As everyone says you cant take it with you and it's no cash benefit when you retire.

As far as I'm concerned if the employers "Mandatory" 9.5 pct super contribution is being included in stated wages then they're a dodgy lot... Fair enough if they quote their contribution in job advertisements if it's above the mandatory amount. Point is employers have to pay this to everyone on salaried wages.

Apparently the Victorian Ambos were the lowest paid in Australia... and when the majority started their profession they probably weren't.

Lots of people have super included in their stated salary/rate

I do

Using it to show overall income is therefore valid

A non-issue

Never quoted in the Public sector, so it is an issue. Especially when it was added as salary combined with the average sick leave taken.

You cannot be employed without that 9.5 pct and in most cases it's decades away from being a usable benefit.