Mayoral candidate drops unfair dismissal case against Ambulance Tasmania

West Tamar Council mayoral candidate Rick Shegog has abandoned his unfair dismissal case against Ambulance Tasmania. He was fired from Ambulance Tasmania in September last year for alleged breaches of the code of conduct, following a suspension since September 2022. Prior to that, he was dismissed from Tasmania Police in 2004 after being charged with unlawfully setting fire to property.

He was acquitted of that charge in 2006 by the Supreme Court. This year, Shegog initiated an unfair dismissal case against the Department of Health at Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Ambulance Tasmania claimed he was dismissed due to conduct issues and failure to disclose relevant information. His lawyer argued that Ambulance Tasmania was aware of these issues when they hired him.

The trial commenced today, with the Department of Health planning to have Police Commissioner Donna Adams testify. The health department initially sought to conceal the identity of a witness and Shegog himself, claims that were rejected in the pursuit of transparency. After a brief adjournment, Shegog's lawyer announced his client would withdraw the unfair dismissal case.

Shegog currently serves as the deputy mayor of West Tamar Council, located north of Launceston, and is contesting the mayoral position. He describes himself as a former police sergeant and paramedic in his campaign.