Last updated: December 12, 2013   National Breaking News  Vic
can't afford paramedic pay claim: govt  Vic can't afford
paramedic pay claim: govt  David Davis says the state budget
cannot afford the significant pay claim sought by paramedics.
Source: AAP  PARAMEDICS' wage claims, totalling $1.3 billion
over four years, would have a significant impact on Victoria's
budget, Health Minister David Davis says.  But the paramedics'
union disputes the $1.3 billion figure quoted by Mr Davis,
calling on him to provide the full detail of the costings for
scrutiny.  Mr Davis told reporters on Sunday the 30 per cent
salary increase sought by paramedics totalled $1.3 billion over
four years, and would lead to less money for ambulances and
ambulance stations.  He said the wage claim was significant and
not well thought out.  "These are tough times. It's not easy for
governments to fund significant new expenditures," Mr Davis
said.  But Ambulance Association Australia state secretary Steve
McGhie said the figures were "highl