General News
27 August, 2025
Chopper charter defended
MEMBER for Cook David Kempton has defended the use of a helicopter to fly to the opening of the Cow Bay Primary Health Centre earlier this month.
He said he chartered the helicopter on August 15, which was entirely within the parliamentary rules for travel according to the members’ remuneration handbook.
“The pilot was solely responsible for all operational decisions in relation to the charter, and, as far as I am aware, the pilot performed everything required of him during the entire flight, and any questions in this regard should be directed to the charter company,” Mr Kempton said.
“I work tirelessly for the people of Cook, which is an enormous electorate of 200,000ha with no public transport and regular public flights only between major centres, getting around has its challenges,” he said.
“Helicopters are used extensively to transport front-line workers, health workers, power providers, public servants, etc, in their hundreds each year throughout Cape York and Torres Strait.
“I was honoured to be asked to open the Cow Bay Primary Health Centre, having had a long association with the community of over 25 years.
“I had a full schedule on the day with limited time available due to existing obligations, and was concerned that with the ongoing roadworks, there might be delays, given the round trip would take about five hours by car.
“As there are no scheduled flights to Cow Bay or an airstrip for conventional aircraft, having considered all factors, I decided to charter a small four-seater helicopter in respect of which the quote for the charter Cairns to Cow Bay and return was $1300.”
Mr Kempton said the helicopter stopped at Port Douglas to pick up a journalist who accompanied him and his media advisor to Cow Bay.
“The charter helicopter departed Cairns with myself and my media adviser and after a 20-minute flight landed briefly in Port Douglas to pick up the journalist. The charter did not land on or near the Nautilus helipad or the Mirage Resort,” he said.
“The charter helicopter flew on to Cow Bay, which took about another 15 minutes.
“Upon arriving at the health centre, the pilot observed a horse and rider on the sports ground where he was scheduled to land.
“The pilot circled looking for an alternate site, and none being available, took the decision to touch down on the hospital helipad, disembark the passengers and land the helicopter outside the hospital perimeter.
“The helicopter was on the landing pad for less than one minute. The charter company broke no laws in touching down on the helipad.
“There is no such thing as an ‘emergency helipad’ as alleged. As is the case with all hospitals Queensland Health reserves its helipads for emergency purposes which means any non-emergency landing should seek permission from Queensland Health.
“The pilot was unable to seek prior permission for the unscheduled touchdown on the helipad in the circumstances, however I understand he proceeded to do so taking into account the paramount safety of his passengers, the horse rider and all people in the vicinity.
“I was at the Queensland health centre on official government business.
“After the opening ceremony was complete, the pilot informed me that the helicopter had developed an electronic issue, and in an abundance of caution, recommended we terminate the flight and return to Cairns by car which, we did.
“The total cost of the charter from my travel allowance was $650 as there was no return flight to Cairns.
“I make no apology for the enormous effort I am putting into representing the people of my electorate of Cook and the way I go about the electorate considering the decade of neglect by Labor.”
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