Therefore they are also ultimately answerable to the taxpayer!
That is true, but the problem is that there is now only one tier one fixed wing SAR operator in Oz, so the political onus is to make sure that operator continues to be able to operate (dodgy brothers or not).
There is also this:
Air rescue group gave to Coalition | The Australian. Although I have no idea their influence over the present government, maybe the Minister and Nick are good neighbours in Mosman (Sydney)?
