MP shoots down cop chopper proposal

THURINGOWA MP Aaron Harper has dismissed the need for a dedicated police helicopter in North Queensland calling the suggestion “rubbish”.

The LNP has long called for a police helicopter to fight crime in the North.

However, Mr Harper shrugged off the idea saying the two new state rescue aircraft that are used for all operations across the region are adequate.

“The idea of maintaining a 24-hour crew and another helicopter is absolutely rubbish,” he said.

“We’ve got two helicopters here that are entirely capable as multi-platform machines to respond to either police, fire or ambulance (incidents).”

Mr Harper’s comments came while officially launching the State Government’s $43 million investment in two new helicopters for the city.

Minister for Police Mark Ryan, who was in Townsville yesterday morning, said the new helicopters had performed 182 operations in just three months.

He said of those, 24 were rescue operations, eight missions were for search and rescue purposes and a further 150 were for medical-related transfers.

Two helicopters are based in Townsville, while a third is based in Cairns.

“When you look at the helicopter behind me, it’s not just an emergency rescue helicopter,” Mr Ryan said.

“It’s a police helicopter, it’s a fire and emergency services helicopter, and it’s an ambulance helicopter, because it can be tasked for all of those operations.”

Mr Ryan said the new helicopters were faster and more powerful.

Additionally, the aircraft have Forward Looking InfraRed camera capability, giving aircrew members greatly enhanced search and rescue and surveillance abilities.