Health Minister Tom Osborne says he is “more than willing to sit with NAPE” to look at ways to take the fragmentation out of the air ambulance system.
Osborne says he can’t pre-suppose what potential proponents might come forward with in the RFP process. However, Osborne says the system cannot continue the way it is going, and government cannot buy a fleet of aircraft.
He says he is open to making amendments to the RFP if needed following conversations with NAPE.
NAPE has raised concerns about uncertainty for aircraft operators, but Osborne says there will be work.
“They are guaranteed a job,” says Osborne. He says it is written into the RFP that workers will be offered suitable work within the public service. If that is not possible the proponent must offer them work privately.