Doorstop at the RFDS Bundaberg base

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: It’s great to be here today, the RFDS is such an iconic part of Queensland, and the service they provide. I was in Cloncurry recently and I understand the history of the RFDS in the north west of the state, but to see this facility in Bundaberg, which expands that iconic status and the important service they provide is excellent. This training facility is going to ensure that the RFDS can continue to service the needs of Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote areas, quite often at their toughest time. We know that there's skills challenges when it comes to aviation, so for the RFDS to have their own facility to provide that training, we're really pleased that the Federal Government could provide financial support through the Hinkler Regional Deal, but I’d also like to acknowledge the support and the work of the RFDS to fundraise for their contribution as well. Their hard work shows how meaningful they are to the Queensland community, given they enjoy such strong support across the state.

JOURNALIST: What does it mean to have this facility in Bundaberg?

CHISHOLM: It's a really exciting opportunity for Bundaberg. Obviously to have the RFDS have a base here is important, but this will also generate economic income when it's used by other people who want to make use of the training facilities. I think that's the great thing about it. We know what it will do for the RFDS, but the opportunity it provides for other people to come and use their training facilities here, which will ensure that we can expand those skills that are so necessary across the country.

JOURNALIST: How important is it to have a facility like this in a regional centre?

CHISHOLM: It's absolutely fantastic, and the Federal Government is really pleased to support important social infrastructure projects in a regional town like Bundaberg. I know that Bundaberg is such a great place to live and work, but we want to ensure that it continues to be the case, and a facility like this will ensure that a young person growing up in Bundaberg will be able to have the opportunity to come here, see what's possible in the local community, and let's hope that one of them will go on to be one of the next pilots for the RFDS.

JOURNALIST: When it comes to selecting the location for this. Is there any reason that it was in Bundaberg? Was it the central location? What was the reason behind that?

CHISHOLM: It was obviously work that was done as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, which started under the previous government, but we were really pleased to honour that commitment, and I wanted to acknowledge the support of the Bundaberg Regional Council in ensuring that they had this land available for the RFDS as well. So, it really is a good contribution – Federal Government, council working together– but obviously the RFDS are integral to something like this happening.

JOURNALIST: What is the Federal Government's buy in for this project? The CEO of the RFDS Queensland section has already said that considerable funding was received from the federal level. How is the Federal Government able to assist this venture?

CHISHOLM: Yeah. So as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, $14.9 million of Federal Government money was set aside to contribute to this. But I think the impressive thing is, that the RFDS was able to contribute $10 million. There are other philanthropic organisations who are able to contribute as well, and I think that just shows you how much the RFDS means to the people of Queensland. The fact that people would come and support it from the community, and it really is something that the Federal Government is proud to support, but it wouldn't happen if it wasn't for the RFDS and their philanthropic supporters.

JOURNALIST: Yeah, this is quite a unique facility. What are your impressions so far?

CHISHOLM: It's absolutely amazing, it's something that is completely world class. And it's going to obviously benefit the RFDS by providing more training facilities, but it's also going to ensure that we can train more pilots in general. And that's a really good thing in a place like Australia, which is so far and wide – we really do rely on aviation. So, to have more training facilities is going to be an important national asset as well.

JOURNALIST: Just from a Federal Government perspective, what are some of the other benefits that you can see, not just from the fact that it's going to be able to help an organisation like RFDS continue its work, but from another angle, not just the pilot angle? What do you think is some of the other benefits for communities?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: As I’ve mentioned, there's going to be people that come and use this facility from outside, so it's going to provide an economic boost. I'm also the Assistant Minister for Education, and I think about the young school children who are going to come through this facility and be inspired to go on and become a pilot. Hopefully that's for the RFDS, but it might be for other organisations. And that's really exciting that some young person in Bundaberg is going to get that opportunity because they'll be able to come and see it in their local community. So, I think there's so many benefits that it's going to bring, and I'm really pleased that the Federal Government was able to provide that support.

JOURNALIST: You were just having a look inside the simulator. What did you think?

CHISHOLM: It's absolutely amazing, it is mind blowing what is possible. And when you think about how the RFDS started with John Flynn, I don't think he could envisage where we'd be 100 years later with a facility like this in Bundaberg, and the role the RFDS plays across the state and the country is absolutely phenomenal.

JOURNALIST: Did it give you the want to get in there and give it a go yourself?

CHISHOLM: I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to have a go at being a pilot. Obviously, this is a much safer way to do it, and I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to have a look at it and get an understanding of the opportunity that it’s going to provide, which is absolutely fantastic. Thanks everyone.

JOURNALIST: Great, thank you.

CHISHOLM: Good to see you all.