Helicopter Contracts

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing questions to the Attorney-General on the helicopter contracts.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: While I was seeking information on regional helipad compliance, it was confirmed by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in another place on 20 June, and I quote:

The helicopter and fixed-wing contract sits with the Attorney-General's Department and provides that service for all the agencies that need those services.

Based on that, my questions for the Attorney are:

1. When was the new fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft contract signed with Toll, and when did it come into effect?

2. Is this contract the reason why pilots are refusing to land at regional hospital helipads that have been recommissioned but are not operational?

3. Has the Minister for Health and Wellbeing requested a briefing, and has one been provided to escalate solutions for life-saving regional health infrastructure to return to being back online?

4. Has the Attorney or anyone from the cabinet met with Babcock to understand what their advice is regarding compliance for landing since construction was completed?

5. Can the minister explain why pilots aren't landing and how long country communities and volunteer ambulance officers will be denied access to new helipads?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for her questions. I know the Attorney-General's Department does the contract management for helicopter and fixed-wing services across government, and that spans a number of areas of government. I don't think there are any actually within the Attorney-General's Department but, having significant contract management expertise, management does contract management.

I will double-check, but I think the infrastructure for helipads at hospitals, particularly regional hospitals, rests with the health minister. I am happy to take those questions on notice and bring back a reply for the honourable member.