St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne implemented a policy in April 2024 assigning Indigenous patients a minimum category-three triage level for assessment within 30 minutes, addressing historical mistrust and reducing wait time disparities without delaying other patients.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan praised the initiative on October 28 as a model for health equity, linking it to the advancing Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 for First Nations negotiations.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto criticised the policy as divisive, vowing to repeal the Treaty bill if elected in 2026. A recent survey showed the vast majority of Victorians are opposed to the Treaty.
This is a shocking and very poor position from a healthcare provider who has probably been asked by the government to do this to ensure their funding.
I turn up bleeding to a Woman’s hospital in Victoria.
An aboriginal comes in after me…
“Sorry she has to go before you because she’s aboriginal.…”
“Ok…oh wait! What if I identify as an Aboriginal?”
“You clearly are not. Take a seat”
Another person walks in.
“I’m Mary…”
“Do you have your Medicare card? Oh. This says you are a male. You are in the wrong hospital”.
“How dare you misgender me! I identify as a woman!”
“Ok. Of course. My apologies. Take a seat”.