Mr WOOD - 2011-05-04
I had a look through the budget and I can find no reference to the aeromedical contract. It has now been over 12 months since this contract was first put out for tender. When is this contract to be awarded? Why has it taken such an excruciatingly long time for it be awarded? If it is in the budget, where is it? If it is not in the budget, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. Because of the long distances in the Territory we rely heavily upon aeromedical services. We are currently under negotiation, which has been a long negotiation, I admit. However, it is a very important service. We have to ensure the service the successful tenderer will provide is suitable for the Territory, and it provides the right equipment and the right aeroplanes. We have seen some incidents in Queensland and Western Australia where single-engine aeroplanes failed ...
Mr Conlan: Rubbish!
Mr VATSKALIS: The member for Greatorex again exhibits his aeronautical expertise he probably learnt while he was working at a radio station. I do not have any aeronautical expertise, I rely upon the advice of the experts who have advised that, on both occasions, the incidents in Western Australia and Queensland involved single-engine airplanes.
The money is not in the budget books because the contract has not been finalised yet …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr VATSKALIS: The contract has not been finalised yet, but the money is there to be allocated to aeromedical services. We are very close to finalising negotiations. A probity auditor has been there all the time to ensure the contract is done properly and no one is disadvantaged. I will be pleased to announce the successful tenderer for the aeromedical service in the next few months.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. Because of the long distances in the Territory we rely heavily upon aeromedical services. We are currently under negotiation, which has been a long negotiation, I admit. However, it is a very important service. We have to ensure the service the successful tenderer will provide is suitable for the Territory, and it provides the right equipment and the right aeroplanes. We have seen some incidents in Queensland and Western Australia where single-engine aeroplanes failed ...
Mr Conlan: Rubbish!
Mr VATSKALIS: The member for Greatorex again exhibits his aeronautical expertise he probably learnt while he was working at a radio station. I do not have any aeronautical expertise, I rely upon the advice of the experts who have advised that, on both occasions, the incidents in Western Australia and Queensland involved single-engine airplanes.
The money is not in the budget books because the contract has not been finalised yet …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr VATSKALIS: The contract has not been finalised yet, but the money is there to be allocated to aeromedical services. We are very close to finalising negotiations. A probity auditor has been there all the time to ensure the contract is done properly and no one is disadvantaged. I will be pleased to announce the successful tenderer for the aeromedical service in the next few months.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016