❓ The Minister for Police details upgrades to both the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' and the Police Air Wing's aerial fleets, including new Black Hawk helicopters and a PC-24 jet aircraft, aimed at improving response times and capabilities across WA.
AnsweredQoN 669Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE AIR WING
669. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to keeping the Western Australian community safe.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on plans to bolster the aerial fleet for police and
emergency services?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how the new aerial fleet will assist in keeping the community safe?
669. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to keeping the Western Australian community safe.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on plans to bolster the aerial fleet for police and
emergency services?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how the new aerial fleet will assist in keeping the community safe?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for her question. I am going to advise the house a little
about the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' air wing, although
I am a little envious because I understand that it numerically exceeds the
police air wing. However, in terms of quality and capability, I think the
police have got it! The Minister for Emergency Services, who is a member of the
other house, asked that I convey to the house that an additional two Black Hawk
helicopters will be joining the fleet to help fight bushfires this coming
bushfire season. These extraordinary, top-of-the-range helicopters, with the
best capability in terms of rotary-winged aircraft, will join the many other
rotary-winged aircraft, of which there is a large number, and also the many
fixed-winged aircraft. The department has an air tanker and a fleet of other
aircraft to help tackle bushfires. Those two Black Hawk helicopters will join
the department this year and provide additional opportunity. Crikey! I have
just been notified that the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has 38
aircraft at its disposal—an extraordinary number.
The police air wing does not have
that number, but recently we announced a further upgrade to the police air
wing, with $15.8 million to help upgrade our fixed-wing aircraft fleet. The
existing PC-12 turboprop aircraft will be refurbished to enhance their
capabilities and allow them to continue to provide support. Members would
probably have heard the announcement that the Western Australia Police Force
will be the first police force in the
country to operate jet aircraft when the PC-24 is provided to the police air
wing in 2026. This aircraft will halve the time for deployment anywhere
in the state. Currently, the PC-12 can take as long as six hours, subject to
how long it takes on the ground. If it is going to Kununurra and has to refuel
in Meekatharra on the way, it can take a minimum of six hours to get there with
a team of police, whether it be homicide or forensics teams, the tactical
response group or a regional operations group—any one of the police
capabilities, with the exception of the mounted police; I do not think they
will get on the aircraft! This aircraft will get there in a three-hour single
flight, halving the time. This will provide an exceptional uplift in support to
all regions in Western Australia. The same aircraft are operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They can land on some
dirt strips and roads in remote regions. We will provide the highest
quality police response anywhere in Western Australia. This comes on top of our
upgrade of the H145 Airbus helicopters that were provided to the police earlier
this year. We are ensuring that our police are the best equipped in the nation.
The SPEAKER : The member for
Cottesloe with the last question.
thank the member for her question. I am going to advise the house a little
about the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' air wing, although
I am a little envious because I understand that it numerically exceeds the
police air wing. However, in terms of quality and capability, I think the
police have got it! The Minister for Emergency Services, who is a member of the
other house, asked that I convey to the house that an additional two Black Hawk
helicopters will be joining the fleet to help fight bushfires this coming
bushfire season. These extraordinary, top-of-the-range helicopters, with the
best capability in terms of rotary-winged aircraft, will join the many other
rotary-winged aircraft, of which there is a large number, and also the many
fixed-winged aircraft. The department has an air tanker and a fleet of other
aircraft to help tackle bushfires. Those two Black Hawk helicopters will join
the department this year and provide additional opportunity. Crikey! I have
just been notified that the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has 38
aircraft at its disposal—an extraordinary number.
The police air wing does not have
that number, but recently we announced a further upgrade to the police air
wing, with $15.8 million to help upgrade our fixed-wing aircraft fleet. The
existing PC-12 turboprop aircraft will be refurbished to enhance their
capabilities and allow them to continue to provide support. Members would
probably have heard the announcement that the Western Australia Police Force
will be the first police force in the
country to operate jet aircraft when the PC-24 is provided to the police air
wing in 2026. This aircraft will halve the time for deployment anywhere
in the state. Currently, the PC-12 can take as long as six hours, subject to
how long it takes on the ground. If it is going to Kununurra and has to refuel
in Meekatharra on the way, it can take a minimum of six hours to get there with
a team of police, whether it be homicide or forensics teams, the tactical
response group or a regional operations group—any one of the police
capabilities, with the exception of the mounted police; I do not think they
will get on the aircraft! This aircraft will get there in a three-hour single
flight, halving the time. This will provide an exceptional uplift in support to
all regions in Western Australia. The same aircraft are operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They can land on some
dirt strips and roads in remote regions. We will provide the highest
quality police response anywhere in Western Australia. This comes on top of our
upgrade of the H145 Airbus helicopters that were provided to the police earlier
this year. We are ensuring that our police are the best equipped in the nation.
The SPEAKER : The member for
Cottesloe with the last question.
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