David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question and his interest in this topic. It's important that we all understand that we have a nationally coordinated approach to the determination of the type of aircraft that is bought in this country for bushfires. That is determined by the experts, the fire commissioners from around the country, in terms of the suite of aircraft and the quantity that is required.

The federal government has invested just under $26 million a year that will be indexed into the standing costs of those aircraft, to be there ready to go and any calls notice. But, effectively, it's important that we listen to the experts and the professionals and not politicians.

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