Helmetfire, agree with much you say....everyone knows the pollies will only go for a cost effective solution. I doubt even though it would be nice to have if the dollars could be found specialised firefighting aircraft.
Thus I reckon that at the end of the day we will remain with contracted local rotary/fixed wing.
The C130 may prove to be a cheap emergency backup capability given that the airframes have paid for themselves countless of times over. Indeed the same can be said for the Chinook idea you mentioned - good thinking!
Lets see what comes out in the reviews that will doubtless occur soon!