A deliberately confronting ad for Ambulance Tasmania titled “Keep Your Hands Off Our Ambos” has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Bureau.

The ad depicting Tasmanian paramedics being attacked by onlookers reportedly drew a handful of complaints. Check the ad out below:

Ambulance Tasmania CEO Neil Kirby, whose comments were reported in Tasmania’s Mercury, said the ad dealt with an important safety issue which should not be shied away from.

“I accept that a small number of people found the ad confronting, but I think the majority of people equally accept that we should not shy away from tackling the very serious issue of violence toward Ambulance Tasmania employees,” Kirby said.

“These employees are out there protecting our community and it is incumbent on us to protect them when they are just doing their job.

“The harsh reality is that the scene depicted by the ad can be what paramedics are confronted with — trying to save a life while being threatened themselves.”