Aerial patrol kept in funds holding pattern

THE Australian Aerial patrol, based at Albion Park, will have to keep playing a waiting game for an answer about whether it will keep search equipment aboard its aircraft.

The patrol was given a two-week extension, which ends on Tuesday, to provide a funding proposal to keep a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera on its aircraft after the contract between the patrol and the Federal Government elapsed at the end of March.

Yesterday, Aerial Patrol general manager Harry Mitchell met NSW Police Minister David Campbell in an effort to gain funding for the FLIR.

After a meeting in which Mr Campbell asked "all the hard questions", Mr Mitchell was asked to provide a submission to Mr Campbell.

"He"s wanting to know more, that"s why he"s asked for a formal proposal, which I will have on his desk tomorrow morning," Mr Mitchell said.

"He questioned me greatly. They were the hard questions, but he has a good handle on it and the bottom line out of all of that was that he acknowledges that the Greater Sydney Region , Newcastle to Shoalhaven , is exposed and not covered by the Feds" national program.

"However, I will also be speaking with the Australian Maritime safety Authority.

"I will be putting to them where the matter rests at present , that I"ve met the Minister for Police in NSW, that he has asked us for a formal submission and that he will consider that once he"s in receipt of it."

Mr Mitchell said the meeting with the Police Minister also involved the Water Police, who are keen for the FLIR to stay on an aeroplane and not be moved, as proposed, to a helicopter.

He said he was given no indication about where the Minister sat with the issue, but that he did believe "he has a good handle on it".

"It might not get over the line, but he was generous with his time, extremely generous with his time," Mr Mitchell said.

"He asked a lot of hard questions and we dealt with those questions and we have the support of other representatives who were in the room , from the NSW Water Police.

"It assists them greatly in search and rescue, particularly in the area that we all consider is a void , and this is very important and the Minister picked it straight away , the area between Newcastle and Shoalhaven."

Last week Member for Gilmore Joanna gash stepped into the debate and helped the patrol get the extension to work on getting funding.

"The AMSA concession did not come easily, as it believes it has been more than patient in its dealings over the issue," Mrs Gash said.

"However, it well appreciates the circumstances at AAP and the Illawarra"s close relationship with the aerial patrol.

"The ball is now back in David Campbell"s and the State Government"s court.

"If the State Government can commit to AAP"s funding proposal, including contributing to the upkeep and the crew training, AAP has another chance to keep the equipment.

"We understand AAP is not in a position to cover these costs, but the State Government should be; it is a question of its willingness to do so."