ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (15:24): I would like to speak today about the Royal Flying Doctor Service, particularly the Port Augusta base which I had cause to visit in December 2010, on behalf of the Minister for Health, as part of the naming ceremony for part of its new aircraft fleet. The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a particularly valuable part of our state and nation's history and I would like to speak briefly about that.

At the ceremony, I was fortunate to meet John Lynch, the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations, many of its board and committee members, and people who have worked in the community of Port Augusta with the service for many, many years. Their love and support of the service were truly inspiring. The ceremony particularly marked an important milestone for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in South Australia when we welcomed and named an important new addition to the Royal Flying Doctor Service family. The aircraft is the third of five new additions to the fleet in 2010 and part of five new Pilatus PC-12 NG (New Generation) aircraft, each costing $6 million, which replace five that have served the South Australian community for the past 15 years.

The South Australian government was delighted to contribute $6 million to support the RFDS in acquiring its fleet of five new aircraft. Our contribution represents 20 per cent of the total cost of the five aircraft, with the commonwealth government providing half and a significant portion—30 per cent—donated generously by community members through the RFDS capital raising campaign, and many of the people who contributed to that were indeed at the hangar service I attended.

Supporters of the RFDS know that nobody understands the health needs of the bush and provides such a dedicated, professional service, apart from the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Since 1928, the RFDS has brought the finest care to the most remote corners of our nation. It is a lifeline to people who live, work and travel in rural and remote areas, and it is an integral part of our state's healthcare systems. Australians have a great respect and trust in this service. As this government recognises, we are proud of what the RFDS does, and its comprehensive aero-medical emergency and primary healthcare services are specialised and well known for their skill throughout the world.

The RFDS is our preferred provider of fixed-wing aero-medical services and recognised to be a high quality service in partnership with SA Ambulance and MedSTAR services. They have recently undergone integration of their coordination services, and I witnessed this in action on the day I was there when I arrived early in Port Augusta. Every 20 minutes, somewhere in South Australia, someone is in need and is being treated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. I commend this institution to the house.