❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding the Health Minister's comments about the RFDS, funding, and emergency response capabilities. The Premier defends the government's support and funding increases to the RFDS.
AnsweredQoN 237Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE — COMMENTS BY MINISTER FOR HEALTH
I refer to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the critical role that it plays in regional Western Australia. (1) Is the Premier disappointed that his Minister for Health chose to make his reprehensible comment, published in The West Australian newspaper last Saturday and repeated on several radio programs, that the RFDS was an interest group? (2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the critical role that it plays in regional Western Australia. (1) Is the Premier disappointed that his Minister for Health chose to make his reprehensible comment, published in The West Australian newspaper last Saturday and repeated on several radio programs, that the RFDS was an interest group? (2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(1) Is the Premier disappointed that his Minister for Health chose to make his reprehensible comment, published in The West Australian newspaper last Saturday and repeated on several radio programs, that the RFDS was an interest group? (2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(1) Is the Premier disappointed that his Minister for Health chose to make his reprehensible comment, published in The West Australian newspaper last Saturday and repeated on several radio programs, that the RFDS was an interest group? (2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(2) Will the Premier direct the minister to apologise to the RFDS and all those Western Australians who fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service? (3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(3) Given the growing transfer burden that has affected the RFDS’s ability to respond to emergencies such as yesterday’s helicopter crash in the Kimberley, does the Premier fear that the gaps in regional emergency services are becoming more dangerous? (4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(4) Given that former WA Country Health Service chief executive officer Christine O’Farrell claims that parts of the regional health network are “blatantly bloody unsafe”, will the Premier urgently move to increase funding for the RFDS? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for the question. (1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
(1)-(4) Nobody on this side of Parliament, least of all the Minister for Health, would doubt that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does an excellent job. It is a vital component of our health service provision and we value that very, very highly. In Albany last Friday the health minister was asked some questions about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in response to the budget. He affirmed our view in government that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job, as did I when I was asked a similar line of questions outside the budget breakfast. Certainly in Albany the health minister affirmed our view that the Royal Flying Doctor Service does a very good job. Nobody in Western Australia is disputing that, least of all us. He also said—this is true—that the state government is in negotiations for extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A business case was put to us some time earlier this year. A very significant increase was requested. The state government of Western Australia provides about 49 per cent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s funding, which equates to something in excess of $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Dr K.D. Hames : It is 18 point something. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I think the member will find that it is over $19 million. That compares with a figure of about $11 million in 2001. There has been a very significant increase—not quite double but about 80 per cent—in funding from this state government to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2001. I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
I was asked a general question—the health minister was asked a question as well—about the response to our budget and the number of organisations that were seeking more funding than they received. We increased the funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from something like $17 million to a bit over $19 million. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The information provided to me indicates that we did increase the funding. We increased funding to most, not all, of the organisations that were seeking an increase in funding. It is true that we were unable to provide the level of funding that all those organisations and groups sought. That is the case in the budget on almost every occasion. I responded that way and so did the Minister for Health. We do not consider the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be merely an interest group but we were responding in general terms to that general question about the inability — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the National Party is above the ruck. He should not sink down to that level. That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
That is that matter dealt with. We are working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to look at its application for a very significant increase in funding. I think we provide 49 per cent and the federal government provides about 30-something per cent. We provide funding for inter-hospital transfers. What was the member’s question about—the helicopter crash? Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls : The helicopter crash in the Kimberley. The Derby and Port Hedland RFDS couldn’t respond. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The fact of the matter is that the helicopter crash occurred in a location that would have been impossible for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access. Was the member aware of that? Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr B.J. Grylls : I know it was in a remote area. There was no plane available in Derby. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It could not get a plane to the area. There was nowhere for a plane to land in the area. Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr C.C. Porter : It’s just as well. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : “It’s just as well”, the member said. There was no capacity for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to access that crash site and so a helicopter was used. Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.J. Cowper : Unfortunately, planes don’t crash next to the runways. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for that illumination — Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The principal reason, as I am informed, for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Avon to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. The principal reason for chartering a helicopter was that the community did not have an airstrip suitable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, although it has been asserted by the experts in this chamber that it should have flown in anyway. Irrespective of that fact, it should have flown in anyway! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This incident happened in the Imintji community on 12 May. Road transport to the nearest airstrip was not considered a clinical option due to suspected spinal injury; in other words, the patient could not be driven to the nearest airstrip. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has used a helicopter several times in the past 12 months to reach patients when a fixed-wing aircraft was not suitable.
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