21/03/2026
SA Government commits to appoint a Chief Paramedic Officer
The Observer welcomes the advice and election commitment to appoint a Chief Paramedic Officer (CPO) by the current Labor Government ahead of the Saturday 21 March 2026 election.
"...We are pleased to announce that a re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government will deliver a Chief Paramedic Officer to sit alongside other Chief Clinical Officers in the Department for Health and Wellbeing."
"The Chief Paramedic Officer will work closely with the South Australian Ambulance Service and other key stakeholders to contribute strategic clinical advice and advocacy on behalf of the paramedic workforce. Their role will - amongst other things- investigate opportunities to expand scope of practice and allow paramedics to further the healthcare needs of South Australians ..."
The election commitment may be seen here: https://tinyurl.com/4tpuv2vd
This commitment underscores the importance of paramedicine as a health profession in shaping and implementing policies for better community healthcare.
The role of a CPO in each Australian jurisdiction and the Commonwealth is something the Observer has advocated for many years. One hopes that other jurisdictions will soon join the NT, Victoria (and potentially SA) in making similar appointments.