The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service has been operating in NSW since 1973 and has saved more than 34,000 lives during this time. There is no cost obligation for anyone who is rescued by these helicopters.

Next year, 2007, marks 34 years of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters operating in NSW and also marks the predicted end of the service in the Sydney and Central West areas. The NSW Government is believed to be giving the NSW Ambulance Service contract allowing the helicopter service to operate and save lives in NSW to the new and foreign owned CHC Helicopter Service of Canada.

We are proud of the fantastic and heroic work of the crewpersons, paramedics, pilots and doctors of the helicopter service and believe that the Ambulance Service Contract needs to stay with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service and not be given to a foreign operator. The helicopter service is community based and relies on community support to ensure that it continues to save lives; this support will no longer continue if the service turned private.

This contract needs to remain with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service, and the new helicopters that the government has promised to deliver to the new tender, must be given to the current services. If the government is prepared to pay more money for the Rescue Helicopter services in NSW, then they should give it to Life Saver to enhance the brilliant service they have been providing for almost 35 years.

SAVE THE WESTPAC LIFE SAVER RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE.