I have been asked whether Tasmania police can direct the master of a commercial vessel to respond to an emergency and who will be responsible if something goes wrong.
The Navigation Act 1912 (Cth)
The current (1974) version of International
Michael Eburn, PhD
Michael Eburn, PhD, is associated with publications focusing on legal issues related to emergency services, industrial relations, and public safety in Australia. The content often analyzes court decisions, regulatory frameworks, and legal disputes involving fire and rescue services, paramedics, and related unions. Topics include unfair dismissal cases, ministerial powers in emergency services, liability and safety regulations in rural fire contexts, and legal responses to emergency incidents. The publications provide detailed commentary on procedural and substantive legal matters affecting emergency personnel and organizations, highlighting the intersection of law, public safety, and employment relations.
Website:
https://australianemergencylaw.com
Latest from Michael Eburn, PhD - Page 4
Dismissal of two FRNSW retained firefighters not unfair
By M. Eburn
In Andrews v Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW; Murrell v Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW [2026] NSWIRComm 1062 the Industrial Relations Commission heard two cases of alleged unfair dismissal brought by two retained firefighters at the Branxton-Greta Fire station. Both were…
Paramedic’s registration cancelled over domestic violence convictions
By M. Eburn
I have previously reported on the impact of domestic violence allegations on health professional registration; see
- Impact of domestic violence allegation on paramedic registration (October 21, 2024); and
- Doctor as respondent to application for domestic violence order (March 5, 2024).
…
SA Coroner comments on SAAS paramedic’s decision not to force entry to investigate whether medical assistance was required.
By M. Eburn
I have previously written on the use of force to enter premises to rescue someone or to provide emergency medical care – see for example:
- Paramedics forcing entry to premises (March 25, 2014);
- Getting children out of locked cars (February
…
FBEU NSW ‘Code Red’ industrial action still in place?
By M. Eburn
Today’s question relates to the position taken by the Fire Brigades Employee’s Union (the FBEU) to requests to assist NSW Ambulance to load a patient. The FBEU took the view that ‘ambulance assist’ calls were rescue calls and so the ambulance…
Changes coming to NSW drug legislation
By M. Eburn
Thank you to Oscar who in a comment on my post Authority for NSW first aiders to carry methoxyflurane (July 11, 2026) drew my attention to the fact that the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022 (NSW), along with…
Authority for NSW first aiders to carry methoxyflurane
By M. Eburn
Today’s correspondent is
… a small sole trader business in NSW that provides event medics and Paramedics and a recent discussion was held about changes to who can carry and administer methoxyflurane for the purposes of management pain in patients…
The adversarial nature of Australia’s legal system
By M. Eburn
Readers of this blog are reminded that courts and tribunals in the Australian legal system do not exercise some broad power to investigate matters and do what they think is just or right. The court sits as a referee to…
UK – Coastguard Rescue Officers are ‘workers’, not volunteers
By M. Eburn
The heading, above, is my summary of the decision in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom [2026] EWCA Civ 6. This is an English case (EWCA stands for England and Wales Court of Appeal) but the reasoning may be of interest.…
Use of scheduled drugs by Commonwealth employees
By M. Eburn
On 30 June 2026 I presented a webinar on the authorisation of paramedics to use scheduled drugs. I discussed the legislation and the general scheme in the states and territories. I was asked ‘what about the Commonwealth – eg paramedics working…