A Member of Parliament questions the Minister for Road Safety regarding responsibility for emergency rescue helicopters, previous funding decisions, and a delayed briefing request. The Minister clarifies agency responsibilities and addresses the briefing request delay due to their recent appointment.

AnsweredQoN 595Legislative Council
Asked
13 June 2023
Portfolio
Road Safety

QuestionView source ↗

ROAD SAFETY
595. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Road Safety:
I refer to question without notice 569,
asked on 18 May 2023, in which the minister claimed that responsibility for
rescue helicopters falls under the Department of Health. I note that the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services website states the emergency rescue
helicopter services is managed by DFES.
(1) Which
government agency is responsible for providing emergency rescue helicopter
services in WA?
(2) Does the
minister stand by the answer he provided on 18 May 2023?
(3) Noting the
road trauma trust account has previously been used to fund a helicopter for the
police air wing, despite opposition from the
Road Safety Council, has the minister sought advice from the council r egarding
the purchase of rescue helicopters?
(4) When will the
minister's office respond to a briefing request regarding the road
safety camera strategy, which was requested seven months ago on 14 November 2022?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question, and just point out that there is actually a new
Minister for Road Safety.
(1)–(2) The
Department of Health is responsible for determining the state's
aeromedical service requirements. The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services manages the contracts for the emergency
rescue helicopter service, and St John Ambulance WA is responsible for
the tasking of the aircraft. I would encourage the member to direct questions
to the appropriate minister.
(3) No.
(4) As I have
only recently been appointed as Minister for Road Safety, I am not aware of any
request for a briefing made by the honourable member.

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