A Federal Labor Government will commit $15 million to build a new Tasmanian home for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Launceston Airport.

The current site has served the community well for 20 years, but it is clear that it is no longer adequate to provide the services that Tasmanians deserve.

The RFDS’s current home is unable to support either rotary aircraft or up to date clinical activities, while the realities of the pandemic and capacity constraints have forced RFDS and Ambulance Tasmania personnel to spread themselves across three separate buildings.

It’s clear that RFDS needs a new Tasmanian home, and that is exactly what a Labor Government will deliver.

This redevelopment will include facilities for world-class clinical care, as well as adequate capacity for rotary and fixed wing aircrafts, ground vehicle transfers and the space needed to cater for surge workers when required.

By securing the future of the RFDS at Launceston Airport, this project will ensure that this essential service retains its central location and accessibility to Tasmanians in all corners of the state.

No matter where they live, Tasmanians will continue to be in reach of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Thousands of flights are undertaken by RFDS Tasmania each year providing crucial aero-medical and patient transfer.

RFDS Tasmania also plays a critical role in tackling chronic disease and reducing the rate of hospital admissions across the state. It delivers a range of primary health care services including dental, physical and mental health programs.

This is just the first of a number of commitments a Labor Government will make to secure the health of all Tasmanians, delivering a better future to locals across the state.