The state government has “gone too far” by “ripping the guts out of regional funding” according to South West MLC Colin Holt.
These comments come after the McGowan government has refused to continue funding the RAC Rescue helicopter based in Bunbury beyond June 2018.
As a result Mr Holt has began a petition “Save Our Rescue Chopper” and has been overwhelmed by the response.
The helicopter has been based in Bunbury since February 2016 and has completed more than 400 missions with 65 per cent of the incidents in relation to car crashes.
Since Friday October 20, the RAC Rescue chopper has been called to three incidents in the South West alone.
Mr Holt said the community was justifiably outraged that the Perth helicopter rescue service has been fully funded while regional West Australians are yet again being targeted by budget cuts.
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam has also raised concerns about the future of the South West rescue chopper and said it should be the government’s number one priority to save lives.
“This service provides vital search and rescue and critical care medical services. It is more that transport, it is effectively an air ambulance, providing critical care ambulance,” she said.
Ms Mettam said the statement made by the emergency services minister Francis Logan to 6PR radio station were extraordinary.
“The Opposition Members in the South West have an odd habit of trying to turn their funding shortfalls into this Government’s fault; the reality is the operation of the SW emergency helicopter was only funded until next year by the previous government,” he said.
“It spent millions building a state of the art facility but bizarrely only funded the actual helicopter until next year; the Perth based helicopter is properly funded out of consolidated revenue.
“Colin Holt should stop scare mongering and convince his Liberal colleagues to support the McGowan Govt’s efforts to restore the books they so badly blew.
“In other words the new Govt is not going to continue to fly the rescue helicopter in Bunbury.”
You can sign the online petition at: http://www.nationalswa.com/rescue_chopper_petition
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
