Mr POOLE - 1999-08-12
The minister announced in the budget that the government had allocated money to replace the Emergency Services plane. What action has the minister taken to identify and purchase a suitable new aircraft?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the government is very much aware that it is one thing to have well-trained police officers, but they can’t be relied upon to provide an effective and efficient service for Territorians without good equipment.
There are two aircraft in the air wing, both Piper Navajos. One is in Alice Springs, the other in Darwin. The aircraft in Alice Springs has a reasonable life ahead of it and is in fairly good condition, especially compared with the Darwin aircraft, which is 17 years old. High maintenance costs are resulting in a burden on the police budget. In addition, maintenance requirements are becoming unpredictable, so the aircraft is proving more regularly not available when it is needed.
As a consequence, the government provided funding in the budget this year for the acquisition of a replacement aircraft. Tenders have now been called. A group representing the Police Force and Treasury have been working with consultants familiar with the very complex matter of specifications for the acquisition of an aircraft. That has resulted in a document being prepared. We will see an aircraft purchased second-hand with very low hours, a new aircraft purchased, or some lease arrangement put in place. The cost could be something in the order of $5m for the outright purchase of an aircraft, be it second-hand or new. If it is leased, the cost will of course be annualised..
A number of factors have changed since the original aircraft were purchased. Of course, they were appropriate for the times. Since the establishment of the Police Air Wing they have carried Tactical Response Group officers who are required to be flown in an emergency to a remote locality to support police in the area or to address a particular situation that has arisen. The TRG officers nowadays are a lot better equipped than they were in the past, but their equipment is both bulky and weighty in some circumstances. The specification for the replacement aircraft includes the ability to be able to carry, in a pressurised aircraft at an increased speed, a larger load and at least six fully-equipped TRG personnel. That, of course, will enhance the ability of the police to respond to situations in remote localities and to support police stations in remote parts not only of the Top End but elsewhere in the Territory should the need arise. The extended range and operational ceiling of the replacement aircraft will be an ongoing benefit.
It is a major acquisition item. As I say, it could cost something in the order of $5m. We hope that the processes are completed by the end of the year and that a new aircraft is on line as soon as possible. The existing aircraft will be sold to offset the cost of the new aircraft.
I am sure the police force will appreciate the fact that the government has committed this substantial amount of money to ensure that they are equipped in keeping with the level of professionalism and training that the police now have and demonstrate in their day-to-day service to Territorians. They will be better able to do that when the new aircraft arrives.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the government is very much aware that it is one thing to have well-trained police officers, but they can’t be relied upon to provide an effective and efficient service for Territorians without good equipment.
There are two aircraft in the air wing, both Piper Navajos. One is in Alice Springs, the other in Darwin. The aircraft in Alice Springs has a reasonable life ahead of it and is in fairly good condition, especially compared with the Darwin aircraft, which is 17 years old. High maintenance costs are resulting in a burden on the police budget. In addition, maintenance requirements are becoming unpredictable, so the aircraft is proving more regularly not available when it is needed.
As a consequence, the government provided funding in the budget this year for the acquisition of a replacement aircraft. Tenders have now been called. A group representing the Police Force and Treasury have been working with consultants familiar with the very complex matter of specifications for the acquisition of an aircraft. That has resulted in a document being prepared. We will see an aircraft purchased second-hand with very low hours, a new aircraft purchased, or some lease arrangement put in place. The cost could be something in the order of $5m for the outright purchase of an aircraft, be it second-hand or new. If it is leased, the cost will of course be annualised..
A number of factors have changed since the original aircraft were purchased. Of course, they were appropriate for the times. Since the establishment of the Police Air Wing they have carried Tactical Response Group officers who are required to be flown in an emergency to a remote locality to support police in the area or to address a particular situation that has arisen. The TRG officers nowadays are a lot better equipped than they were in the past, but their equipment is both bulky and weighty in some circumstances. The specification for the replacement aircraft includes the ability to be able to carry, in a pressurised aircraft at an increased speed, a larger load and at least six fully-equipped TRG personnel. That, of course, will enhance the ability of the police to respond to situations in remote localities and to support police stations in remote parts not only of the Top End but elsewhere in the Territory should the need arise. The extended range and operational ceiling of the replacement aircraft will be an ongoing benefit.
It is a major acquisition item. As I say, it could cost something in the order of $5m. We hope that the processes are completed by the end of the year and that a new aircraft is on line as soon as possible. The existing aircraft will be sold to offset the cost of the new aircraft.
I am sure the police force will appreciate the fact that the government has committed this substantial amount of money to ensure that they are equipped in keeping with the level of professionalism and training that the police now have and demonstrate in their day-to-day service to Territorians. They will be better able to do that when the new aircraft arrives.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016