Key facts
- Inquiry recommendation
- NSW Ambulance not extend Westpac rescue helicopter contract unless workplace safety satisfied
- Contract end
- May next year, with five-year extension option not yet approved
- Annual cost
- About $60 million, with $41 million from NSW government and grants
- Fundraising 2024-25
- More than $18 million raised, net $11 million after expenses
- Allegations
- Sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, and hostility toward those raising concerns
- Bases
- Belmont, Lismore, Tamworth; administration at Broadmeadow
Background
A parliamentary inquiry is set to recommend that NSW Ambulance not extend its contract with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service's northern NSW operation unless it is satisfied with workplace safety. The inquiry report, to be released today, is also expected to recommend a transparent investigation into workplace safety and staff conduct at the service.
The northern NSW service operates bases at Belmont, Lismore and Tamworth, with administration at Broadmeadow. It operates under a 10-year contract with NSW Ambulance on behalf of NSW Health. The contract ends in May next year, with a five-year extension option that has not yet been approved.
The service costs about $60 million a year to run, of which about $41 million was funded by the NSW government and grants, according to 2025 financial statements. The rescue service also gained more than $18 million through fundraising in 2024-25, resulting in net fundraising of $11 million after expenses.
Current situation
Stacey Price, the rescue service's former training co-ordinator, said she was sexually harassed and bullied after she raised concerns about safety compliance. She raised her concerns through the parliamentary inquiry into the Calvary Mater hospital; her issue was not linked to the Mater scandal, but the parliamentary committee agreed to hear her case.
In a submission to the inquiry, Ms Price said she worked for the rescue service from 2018 to 2024. She stated: "I observed a number of governance, safety and cultural issues." She also said she "experienced and also witnessed a number of psychosocial risks in the workplace", including bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation, and hostility toward those who raised concerns.
Ms Price described hostile responses when she raised compliance concerns, attempts to undermine her professional responsibilities, and personal remarks about her appearance. She said she was advised by the organisation's HR manager to consider how her facial expressions might be perceived in meetings, and was told she may have been misinterpreting comments or should be able to "take a joke". An independent medical assessment associated with the workers compensation process identified PTSD and anxiety related to her workplace experiences.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual operating cost | $60 million |
| NSW government and grants funding | $41 million |
| Fundraising 2024-25 | $18 million |
| Net fundraising after expenses | $11 million |
| Contract end | May next year |
| Extension option | Five years, not yet approved |
Impacts
The inquiry's recommendation could affect the future of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service's northern NSW operation, which provides aeromedical and search and rescue services. If NSW Ambulance follows the recommendation, the contract may not be extended beyond May next year, potentially disrupting services in the region.
Ms Price also raised concerns about operational personnel performing duties for about two years without formally issued statements of attainment, despite internal systems recording competencies as completed. She said she raised this internally as a serious regulatory compliance concern related to contractual obligations under the NSW Ambulance aeromedical services contract.
In a meeting about compliance with a national training requirement, she said she was told: "f*** off - we don't do that here, we don't need to do that." At an inquiry hearing in May, NSW Ambulance executive director Sarah Coombes said the rescue service had commissioned an independent legal firm to conduct a review, but it was "not our process to manage or intervene in".
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The inquiry's report, released today, may lead NSW Ambulance to either extend the contract with conditions or allow it to lapse. If the contract is not extended, the service could face an uncertain future, potentially affecting aeromedical coverage in northern NSW.
The rescue service's chief executive, Steven Underwood, said in November that the allegations were "distressing and disturbing". He stated: "Neither I, or the service, will tolerate harassment of any type, bullying, inappropriate behaviours or any kind of discrimination. We will not compromise on the safe and effective delivery of our world-class aeromedical and search and rescue capability. We are safe to operate."
If the independent legal review finds systemic issues, NSW Ambulance may require significant reforms before any extension. Alternatively, if the review clears the service, the contract could be extended despite the inquiry's recommendation. The outcome remains unclear until the report is fully considered.
Source: armidaleexpress.com.au
