❓ Mr Birney questions the Minister for Police and Emergency Services about the delay in implementing a new search and rescue plan and funding for a dedicated helicopter. The Minister deflects, blaming the previous government and outlining a review process and budget considerations.
AnsweredQoN 902Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a statement in the Sunday Times dated 14 April by police public relations manager, Linda Byrne, that all plans for a new dedicated search and rescue helicopter, as promised by the minister in July last year, were on hold until the Government decided what it would do about search and rescue, and ask - (1) Can the minister confirm that a new search and rescue plan was to be presented to Cabinet in October last year? (2) Can the minister confirm whether that plan also made recommendations regarding the funding of the helicopter? If so, what were the recommendations? (3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(1) Can the minister confirm that a new search and rescue plan was to be presented to Cabinet in October last year? (2) Can the minister confirm whether that plan also made recommendations regarding the funding of the helicopter? If so, what were the recommendations? (3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(2) Can the minister confirm whether that plan also made recommendations regarding the funding of the helicopter? If so, what were the recommendations? (3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(1) Can the minister confirm that a new search and rescue plan was to be presented to Cabinet in October last year? (2) Can the minister confirm whether that plan also made recommendations regarding the funding of the helicopter? If so, what were the recommendations? (3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(2) Can the minister confirm whether that plan also made recommendations regarding the funding of the helicopter? If so, what were the recommendations? (3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(3) Why has the plan not yet been implemented? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
(1)-(3) A member of the Opposition has once again highlighted the inadequacy of one of the previous Government’s policies, the effects of which this Government has inherited. Sponsorship for the police helicopter had lapsed some years before this Government took office and nothing had been done about it. As a result of an incident last year, I immediately established a taskforce to review the matter. The search and rescue capacity the Police Service has been providing here for medical emergencies is not provided by police services in other States; it is generally provided through the health service or those States’ equivalent of St John Ambulance. A thorough review was undertaken by people from policing, health and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Other areas were involved in wide-ranging consultation. I asked the taskforce to report to me on 1 October last year, but it reported at the end of October. Subsequently, I presented a submission to Cabinet and it was referred into the budget process. That is its present status. I can assure the House that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. I want a long-term strategy to provide a search and rescue capacity for Western Australia. We are looking for something to meet the search and rescue needs between the 100 to 200 kilometre range. People will recall the incident at Lancelin last year. In the immediate metropolitan area, the ambulance service provides the necessary assistance. Once the distance involves more than 200 kilometres, a fixed-wing aircraft is the fastest method of transport. That other band is therefore being considered. I am hopeful that we will be able to provide an appropriate rescue service for that distance. Once that is in place, the Police Service can consider its options for a more versatile helicopter than the one the previous Government left it with.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.