Australia’s helicopter rescue services attract widespread support and funding and they are rightly regarded as modern-day national heroes, but one of their factions is encountering unprecedented headwinds.
Westpac Rescue, operating between Newcastle and the Queensland border, has been the subject of an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes that has revealed an organisation rent by staff allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation. Some say they have been forced out of a service that celebrates some rescuers with lavish gala balls, while allegedly ignoring others’ complaints.
The Westpac Rescue helicopter base in Newcastle.Credit: Dean Sewell
At least three whistleblower complaints have been made to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, including in one document signed by 11 employees, accusing the service of endangering the health and safety of its personnel, multiple breaches of its internal code of conduct, maladministration and “creating a culture of fear”.
After their months-long investigation, our reporters Eryk Bagshaw, Patrick Begley and Laura Sparkes said the allegations painted a picture of an organisation determined to protect a valuable state government contract while silencing dissent and overlooking critical safety risks.
Westpac Rescue declined an interview, but it said in a statement that the service was committed to providing a workplace in which staff felt proud and safe. “We are deeply saddened that anyone in our community feels we have fallen short of that, and we apologise unreservedly,” a spokesman said. “We reject claims that there are ongoing endemic safety or cultural issues within the organisation.”
Westpac Rescue, a distinct operation from Westpac Lifesaver, which covers Sydney, is one of eight independent rescue services across Australia sponsored by Westpac. The bank, which has been a sponsor for more than 50 years, has no operational involvement in the service. Nine Entertainment’s regional television station, NBN, is the major media partner of the chopper rescue service. Nine also owns this masthead.
A Westpac Bank spokesman said his organisation was deeply disappointed with the allegations and called for a full, independent investigation. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said NSW Ambulance was seeking further information about the allegations from Westpac Rescue. “I strongly encourage anyone with these complaints to refer them to SafeWork NSW, which is best placed to investigate these matters,” he said.
For decades, the northern service has been dependent on a taxpayer-funded contract with NSW Ambulance and is aiming to become Australia’s leading aero-medical rescue provider. It is seeking a new 10-year contract with the NSW government, worth up to $500 million when the current arrangement runs out in 2027.
It is a big, innovative venture involving a lot of government money, the kind of project that requires more transparency than Westpac Rescue currently displays. Not-for-profit organisations must embrace being open books, not least because closed-door policies can also erode the public’s ongoing and generous financial support.
As the founder of the nation’s first chopper rescue service in Sydney in 1973, Ian Badham said helicopter rescue services had spent more than five decades building reputations – and the last thing they needed was a breakdown in trust.
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