I was invited today, on behalf of the Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Rene Hidding MP, to help launch the newly re-branded Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Tasmania.
The rebranding of the service means that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in Tasmania now becomes part of the already existing fleet of 17 Westpac Rescue Helicopters nationwide.
In the lead up to the summer bushwalking season and an increase in recreational boating activities over this period, it is particularly important that we acknowledge the vital work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Tasmania.
I would like to thank the men and women of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Tasmania for the vital work that they do and the sacrifices they make to ensure that Tasmanians are safe.
Westpac have generously supported the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Tasmania since 2005, and has recently agreed to extend this support until at least 2017.
The continued support of Westpac is a welcome boost to the delivery of the service across Tasmania’s challenging terrain and, on behalf of the Hodgman Liberal Government, I wish to acknowledge and thank Westpac for their ongoing support of this service.
Over the past five years, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania has completed 1,322 search and rescue missions in Tasmania.
Speaking at the event, Police Inspector Lee Renshaw of Marine, Search and Rescue for Tasmania Police reminded Tasmanians of the importance of ensuring that we are equipped for all weather situations when walking in the wilderness or heading out on the water.
The Tasmanian base will feature in the third series of ‘Air Rescue’, to screen on Southern Cross Television from December. The series showcases the vital work that the service does and highlights some of the dangers faced on land and at sea.
Elise Archer, Speaker of the House of Assembly Liberal Member for Denison
