NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam has launched a petition to save the much-loved and world class NRMA CareFlight and Westpac Surf Lifesaver rescue helicopters.  Petitions can be obtained and signed through our local Liberal Party candidates, Victor Smith (Cabramatta), James Conna (Fairfield) and Andrew Rohan (Smithfield).

The NRMA and Westpac helicopters have been rescuing and delivering injured and sick people to the Liverpool and Fairfield Hospitals and almost all NSW hospitals for many, many years.

“The community has made it very clear about their feelings on this subject, a week since the astounding decision was made by Morris Iemma to kill off our community rescue helicopter services,” said Mr Debnam, accompanied by Careflight Chairman Ian Badham.

"I am proud to launch a petition today to save CareFlight and the Surf Lifesaver rescue helicopters," he said.

The Iemma-Costa Labor Government rejected an olive branch extended yesterday from the operators of the NRMA CareFlight rescue helicopter, instead deciding to go with the contract to utilize an overseas based helicopter service and ‘ditch’ our much loved operators.

"No-one in NSW could understand Morris Iemma's decision to kill off CareFlight and the Surf Lifesaver rescue helicopters. They will now be even more astounded to learn he's rejected an olive branch.  Could this be the NSW Labor Party grabbing at whatever additional funds they can get their hands on prior to the March 2007 elections?

"Morris Iemma and John Hatzistergos must immediately reconsider their decision to kill off these two world-leading rescue helicopter services with the stroke of a pen.

"The community has supported the CareFlight and Surf Lifesaver helicopter services for years, yet Morris Iemma has turned his back on them and on the teams of dedicated medical professionals and pilots who operate the choppers, just to save the Labor government in this state from having to give a small amount of funding to keep the services operating.  Most of the funding comes from the private sector, through donations and purchases.

"Morris Iemma must immediately halt the contract and release all the tender documents for public scrutiny. Why has this deal been done behind closed doors with no consultation with the community?

"I have visited the CareFlight operations centre at Westmead Hospital with Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and you can't help but be impressed with the commitment of the entire team.

If elected in March 2007, Peter Debnam will immediately review the contract for the operations of our vital rescue services.

Make no mistake, the NSW Labor government WILL be allowing the outside contractors to charge fees to anyone rescued, to which they will receive a tax.  These fees will eventually be claimable through your health fund, which will drastically increase health fund costs.

Show your support for our rescue services and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Liberal for Cabramatta),  Andrew Rohan (Liberal for Smithfield) and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Liberal for Fairfield).