Rescue chopper funds secured in new deal with sponsor Westpac

When disaster strikes, it’s an eye in the sky, ready to save lives. But have you ever wondered who pays for the Westpac Rescue helicopter? Who foots the bill + the delicate rescue mission to the Bass Strait islands.

The Westpac helicopter at Hobart Airport. Picture: Linda Higginson

Tasmania’s rescue helicopter service will continue to operate without cost to those whose lives it saves after a new funding agreement between the state government and Westpac bank.

It means the helicopter will continue to turn up to help day and night — like it did on a recent night mission to the Bass Strait islands.

Four hundred kilometres from base and operating in the dark, the helicopter was still able to complete its mission successfully, manager of the emergency helicopter service Ivor Carins said

“On arrival at the scene, there was no suitable landing area for the helicopter and the paramedic was inserted by winch to recover the patient,” he said.

“Flying over water at night and conducting winch operations at night are some of the high-risk and technically difficult work that we do.

“This mission benefited greatly from the specialist equipment purchased through sponsorship from Westpac.”

That equipment included night vision goggles, immersion suits and equipment to allow the paramedic at the end of the winch to communicate with the aircrew.

The direct funding announced on Thursday represents a change over previous arrangements, which were handled by the Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust.

Intensive Care Flight Paramedic Emily Byers, Minister Guy Barnett, Regional General Manager at Westpac Justin Caccavo and Senior Constable Lee Warrington with the Westpac helicopter at Hobart Airport after securing a new funding agreement. Picture: Linda Higginson

Labor’s Anita Dow said she had concerns.

“The Trust is in the process of being wound up after the government withdrew the service’s licence to fundraise, saying the emergency helicopter service was now fully funded by the government through the Department of Health and the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management,” she said.

“But news that the government has now negotiated a new deal with Westpac shows this is not true, and all that’s been achieved is the removal of the Air Rescue Trust and, with it, significant funding from other sponsors, potential sponsors, public donations and community fundraising.

“The Trust estimates it has raised about $10 million to support the service since it was established in 2000 through community and corporate sponsorship.”

Department of Health Deputy secretary Dale Webster said the new arrangement provided a streamlined link between the sponsor and the service.

“We’ve taken the decision that in a more direct relationship with Westpac is actually more beneficial to the flow of the sponsorship in terms of we’re now directly talking to Westpac,” Health Department deputy secretary Dale Webster said.

“But secondly, allowing us to actually more directly spend the money on what we need without going through a third party to apply for that money.”

Westpac regional general manager Justin Caccavo said the bank had supported helicopter rescue services in Australia for more than 50 years, including 24 years in Tasmania.

“Our people are so proud of this partnership and the fact that our support has meant that no Tasmanian in the history of the service has paid to be rescued. Through this new agreement, we’re delighted that this will continue,” he said.