This is the link to the story in the Warrnambool Standard
http://the.standard.net.au/articles/...700499553.html
DENIS Napthine yesterday threw his political support behind the region's new emergency helicopter, calling on the State Government to provide a financial retainer that would ensure its long-term future at Warrnambool.
The member for South West Coast said he wanted to meet with the helicopter's owner Tim Chibs before deciding to officially support the venture.
The pair met behind closed doors at the Warrnambool airport before emerging to announce they were "singing from the same hymn book".
"I wanted to talk directly to Tim and satisfy myself - to be frank - of his bona fides and his commitment," Dr Napthine said.
"The last thing we needed was a fly-by-night operator.
"I'm satisfied Tim has enormous experience in terms of his own skills and qualifications as a pilot and a pilot working in the emergency services area.
"Here we have a highly-skilled operator, a helicopter that can do the job and I believe we have a real demand for this multi-purpose rescue service."
Mr Chibs said Dr Napthine's support was an important step towards uniting the region behind the helicopter and arguing the case for Government support.
"The focus now is to make sure we all sing out of the same hymn book - that is vital," he said.
Dr Napthine said he would actively campaign for Premier Steve Bracks to financially support it.
"The next step is to get the State Government to have genuine consultation with Tim with a view to, I believe, putting Tim's company on an ongoing retainer that would retain his service in the area," he said.
"He needs funding and I think the best form is a retainer fee so Tim and his people can guarantee to stay here.
"He has a multi-million-dollar helicopter here and he has costs to meet - if he can't get ongoing support there is no way known the service can stay here.
"Everyone in western Victoria knows somebody where this sort of service would have made a real difference in saving a person's life or significantly reducing their trauma or injuries."
Dr Napthine said it was imperative the State Government and Air Ambulance Victoria formed a partnership that allowed the helicopter to provide paramedic services.