❓ Question regarding the Liberal-National government's support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance services in regional Western Australia. The Minister details significant investment in these services through the royalties for regions program.
AnsweredQoN 537Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Mr Speaker — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
[The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Treasurer, I call you to order for the second time and the member for Mandurah for the first time. We are really running out of time. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. Let us move on. Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : Can the minister please provide some details of how the Liberal–National government is supporting our extremely important Royal Flying Doctor Service and ambulance service in regional Western Australia? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
That is a fantastic question from the member for Wagin in terms of his advocacy for health in regional Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, do you want to go home early? You are going about it the right way. Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : There were a couple of very interesting comments made a number of years ago. One was by the outgoing CEO of the WA Country Health Service, Christine O’Farrell, who said in 2008 that health in regional Western Australia was “blatantly bloody unsafe”. That was the outgoing CEO of WA Country Health Service. There was also another comment made by a member of Parliament at the time describing the Royal Flying Doctor Service as just an interest group. Since those comments were made, this government has made an unprecedented investment in regional health in Western Australia. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. Suspension of Member The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, leave the chamber please. [The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
[The member for Collie–Preston left the chamber.] Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008 — Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is clearly going to be quiet now! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the third time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Since 2008, under the royalties for regions program, around about a quarter has gone either directly or indirectly to health in regional Western Australia. That includes in the current budget, with about a third of that. Recently, with the Minister for Health at the RFDS centre at Jandakot airport, we announced $67 million in royalties for regions funding for the ongoing support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the patient assisted travel scheme and St John Ambulance in regional Western Australia. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro. Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : To be a bit more specific about that, we supported the RFDS with $23.61 million along with $11 million from the RFDS for the purchase of two additional aircraft and also two replacement aircraft for its fleet. On average the RFDS transports around 25 people a day, flies millions of kilometres a year, assists over 70 000 people a year and transports over 9 000 people a year. I do not think that the impact it has on regional Western Australia and the access to services can be underestimated. Of that money, $2.2 million went towards a new base for the RFDS in Broome and $4 million from royalties for regions went towards the operational costs of its flight and medical crews for planes that the royalties for regions program has already invested in. As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
As far as St John Ambulance is concerned, $8 million of royalties for regions money went to supporting the ambulance services via about 22 community paramedics who support staff right across regional WA. For the benefit of the member for Kimberly, there are also WA Country Health Service–run ambulance services in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. That is a very, very critical service in a very isolated part of the state. That is, again, supporting additional services that were not there before. There was also $32 million for the WA Country Health Service PATS. The total program there, including funding from WA Country Health Service of $79 million, makes a significant difference for those in the isolated parts of the state who need to access the health services that they need. We do not see these groups that provide these services as interest groups; we see them as committed people in the community making a difference in regional Western Australia and they will always get our support. The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
The SPEAKER : That concludes question time.
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