Because adf isn't funded to use equiptment for"public" use.if we start using it for everything we would soon have to massivly increase the defence budget as we would quickly reach the use buy date of our fleet.military is for military and can be used in emergency's but should be kept up to date with equiptment that isn't clapped out firefighting etc.

How about proper burn offs in state forests, state and national parks as well as maintain access and egress roads before a fortune is spent on more 5 minutes to midnight equipment.

I've often wondered why we don't use the ADF assets in this way.

Now Malcolm you know that's too sensible.

I live near Maryborough Queensland we have not had a burnoff for over 3- 4 years now seems the fire levy we pay in our rates does not go where it is suppose to go, the council does not give it to the the guys who do the burn but instead uses it for whatever is happening down in Hervey Bay.

OR they could use the GEO ENGINEERING and WEATHER MODIFICATION OR CLOUD SEEDING to work for us instead of against us and just make it rain.

Not really a "temporary" modification Senator Malcolm Roberts but slinging water under a chopper is.

They should stop giving away equipment. We have no war reserves.

Back in the sixties/seventies when I was a mere teenager/military member the squadron I was stationed at did all the SAR/MEDIVAC tasking for the south coast of NSW out of HMAS ALBATROSS the naval air station, was great training for all our members both ground crew and flight personnel initially we we’re operating IROQUOIS helicopters and as time progressed the bell Kiowa joined in I had no problem with it then until we got replaced by the commercial operators chasing the dollar value in a new industry they created!!!!

This would also require additional training in both how to fly as a water bomber and how to maintain the additional equipment!! I don’t know how many times it needs to be said - THE ADF IS NOT A RESCUE ORGANISATION!! That is not and will never be the role of the ADF!! The states themselves need to invest in their own disaster recovery programs and equipment and stop relying on the ADF as the first line in support!!

12 perfectly fine RAAF C130H Hercules with low hours given away for a song, when Wayne Swann was Labour Treasurer had to balance the budget for 24Hrs. Then straight back into deficit. Lost a great platform.

Tremendous practical flying practice

National and state parks are mismanaged to the highest levels. Buying land and locking it up away from everyone isn't protecting the lands, it's destroying them

Been saying that for years

Apparently Ukraine has cheap weapons up for grabs.

Prevention is always the cheapest tool in the box

ON is the only one that will have a Policy to do this Vote PHON along with their other upcoming list of to be failed Policys

It’s not in Defences budget restraints. They can’t afford to effectively conduct warfare training let alone civilian emergency responses l.!

C130 no, as they are weight limited. needing alotnof work to be effective. plus the corrosion inspections etc. needs to be specifically modified for this use now, helos, its a attachment under. aslong as its within weight limits. good to go.

they don't sit idle, they're on lease for that very reason, they got to where they're needed during the northern hemispheres summer.

No, the defence for should Not be used against us. They are, after all, our Defense Force, ie, to defend against others and Not Us!

No wont happen, not with existing infrastructure.. country cannot sustain it and no government has budget or the foresight beyond the next election to get after anything like it, too busy creating their own nests.

Defence Leaders appear not to have a clue .

This makes Sense , Which is Probably why the Current Majors have not thought of it !!

Sounds simple, but those modifications are not.