❓ The Minister for Health announces $68.5 million in funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including new and replacement aircraft, while contrasting this with the previous government's approach. The Minister also addresses travel changes due to events in Bangkok.
AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE — FUNDING
Dr K.D. HAMES
Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. It was a great pleasure for the Leader of the National Party—the Minister for Regional Development—and me today to officially confirm with the Royal Flying Doctor Service that a total of $68.5 million will go towards the RFDS. That funding will allow for the provision of three new planes and the replacement of five planes, bringing the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s total fleet to 14 planes. These matters were announced in a ministerial statement by the Minister for Regional Development. Contrast that, if members will, with what happened under the previous government. In fact, I do not blame the previous Minister for Health for that because I am sure that he would have strived to get those extra dollars the Royal Flying Doctor Service desperately needed from the current Premier who was the Treasurer, sadly without success because — Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve just been promoted! Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
I thank the member for the question. It was a great pleasure for the Leader of the National Party—the Minister for Regional Development—and me today to officially confirm with the Royal Flying Doctor Service that a total of $68.5 million will go towards the RFDS. That funding will allow for the provision of three new planes and the replacement of five planes, bringing the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s total fleet to 14 planes. These matters were announced in a ministerial statement by the Minister for Regional Development. Contrast that, if members will, with what happened under the previous government. In fact, I do not blame the previous Minister for Health for that because I am sure that he would have strived to get those extra dollars the Royal Flying Doctor Service desperately needed from the current Premier who was the Treasurer, sadly without success because — Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve just been promoted! Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve just been promoted! Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
I thank the member for the question. It was a great pleasure for the Leader of the National Party—the Minister for Regional Development—and me today to officially confirm with the Royal Flying Doctor Service that a total of $68.5 million will go towards the RFDS. That funding will allow for the provision of three new planes and the replacement of five planes, bringing the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s total fleet to 14 planes. These matters were announced in a ministerial statement by the Minister for Regional Development. Contrast that, if members will, with what happened under the previous government. In fact, I do not blame the previous Minister for Health for that because I am sure that he would have strived to get those extra dollars the Royal Flying Doctor Service desperately needed from the current Premier who was the Treasurer, sadly without success because — Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve just been promoted! Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve just been promoted! Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I mean the Leader of the Opposition and former Treasurer! What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
What happened, of course, was that the former minister at that time called the Royal Flying Doctor Service an “interest group” and said that this was an ambit claim. However, he failed to make it clear at the time that the $68.5 million was not a request for funds from the Royal Flying Doctor Service; it was a joint submission made under a contract between the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They commissioned a group to prepare an assessment of the funds needed to ensure that the government properly looked after people in rural and regional Western Australia. Therefore, going into the election, we made a commitment that we would provide those funds; we made sure that it was part of our election commitment. We worked out with the Nationals during our discussions on royalties for regions that the additional funding above what had been committed by the former minister would be covered, so we were very pleased to make that announcement today. I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
I can tell members that we were very warmly received by large numbers of staff at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, including the chief executive officer, who although not disparaging of the former minister, certainly made comments to the extent that he was extremely pleased with the action of the new government in making sure that we properly look after the needs of rural and regional Western Australia. While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
While I am on my feet and talking about planes, I need to advise that while I was severely castigated—I am still lashed and bleeding—by the opposition spokesperson about the trip to the ministerial conference in Brisbane, events beyond my control changed. The Thai airline I was flying with has cancelled all flights on the day that I was to leave as a result of the events in Bangkok. Instead I am now leaving — Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Several members interjected. Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
Dr K.D. HAMES : As I said, my child comes first. Sadly for my child, there is no flight on Friday so I will fly on Saturday. Therefore, I will attend that conference. I hope the opposition will help to work with me to make that available, so when I seek a pair in discussions with the opposition later today, it will be more than obliging.
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