ABC News Online
Rescue chopper decision brings disappointment
The Illawarra will have a new rescue helicopter service at the end of the month after yesterday's decision to end the contract of the Lifesaver Three helicopter.
Adelaide-based operator CHC Australia, which runs the Southcare helicopter in Canberra, will take over until new contracts are offered in July.
NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma says the decision was made to end the contract due to the unreliability of Lifesaver Three.
"We've given them enough time to sort through the difficulties that they have had and they've been unable to do that and as a result we've made this decision and it's made on legal advice," he said.
The chief executive officer of the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Doug Menzies, says he is bitterly disappointed by the decision.
Mr Menzies says the dispute with the Wollongong-based Lifesaver crew is ongoing and until it is resolved there is no way it can fly again.
He says he is shocked by tactics employed by the union movement during the dispute and feels it is partly to blame for the contract's termination.
"We're just pretty disappointed, my statement says we are pretty disappointed with the tactics adopted and believe that its been one of the reasons that we've had the contract not extended," he said.