LNP makes $100,000 pledge to Rockhampton RFDS ahead of election

Rockhampton RFDS are set to benefit from $100,000 pledge if the LNP wins the federal election, with money to be spent on facility upgrades.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud have pledged $100,000 for the RFDS base at Rockhampton Airport.

It is the busiest Royal Flying Doctor Service operation in Queensland.

Now the RFDS in Rockhampton are set to get an extra $100,000 if the LNP comes to power.

The announcement was made at the RFDS hangar at Rockhampton Airport by Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and the Nationals Leader David Littleproud on Thursday, April 17.

The pledge will be used to fund upgrades to the facilities on the proviso the LNP are elected in next month’s federal election.

From the start of this year to April 16, the RFDS’ two planes based in Rockhampton have flown 440,630km, taking 771 patients to hospital.

Many of the patients are flown to Brisbane, though a significant amount are flown to Rockhampton.

The two Rockhampton RFDS planes cover area which includes Longreach and Birdsville in Western Queensland to down South to Brisbane.

The upgrade works will include repairs and new infrastructure.

“Pathways, repairs and maintenance but also an undercover area for patients who are getting off the planes because at this stage people are a bit out in the elements if it is raining or a bit hot,” Ms Landry said.

One of two RFDS planes based at Rockhampton Airport.

Ms Landry said a lot needed to be done to the RFDS section of the Rockhampton Airport but the $100,000 pledge will be a first step.

“This service is essential to this whole area… lots of people use it,” Ms Landry said.

Mr Littleproud called the $100,000 pledge a small investment while at the same time a big investment which would give patients dignity and respect.

“It’s important that the infrastructure here keeps pace with demand,” he said.

Mr Littleproud praised the RFDS noting that in the areas they travel to, they are often the only medical staff in the immediate to immediate vicinity.

Asked if there was a timeline for the upgrades to begin should the LNP win government next month, Mr Littleproud said it was a case of straight away.

“It was part of our budget,” the Nationals Leader said.

“This money is allocated and then it will simply be a matter of contracts drawn and getting out of the RFDS’ way.”

An LNP government will also provide $1 million for renovations of a new property for the Walk n Talk organisation.

The non-for-profit charity is based in Rockhampton and is designed to raise awareness around mental health and prevent mental illness within the community.

“It (the new property) would provide an area of safety... and the money will go towards major upgrades to the facility,” Ms Landry said.

“This is a very deserving cause.”

Mr Littleproud said the million dollars is an investment into the community.

“This is going to actually start to arrest some of the societal problems that we’ve got,” he said.

Walk N Talk founder Chris Bennett said it was all about creating a safe place to confront mental health issues.

“If there is more young adults coming through understanding that it is fine this is how we change the future.”

Originally published as LNP makes $100,000 pledge to Rockhampton RFDS ahead of election