And as of midday yesterday, the Westpac Rescue Chopper was given an extra lease of life.

By affording the chopper a contract extension for the next 10 years, the government has ensured residents get continuity of service from a provider that has the trust of the community.

But amid the gushing press releases and flashing bulbs at the announcement, an important part of the service was largely ignored – the chopper’s winch capability.

For more than a decade, the winch was a seamless part of the chopper’s operations, saving lives and rescuing those marooned in remote bushland.

But in July last year, inexplicably, the Tamworth base was told it would lose its permission to winch.

What followed was an extraordinary outpouring of support from the community.

A 10,000-signature-strong petition and high-level political talks failed to win the winch back.

When quizzed about it yesterday, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said while he was still lobbying to rescue the winch, it remained mired in safety concerns and a perceived lack of use.

But those excuses simply don’t wash.

If there are safety concerns about the winch’s use, why is it still operating in Newcastle and Lismore?

And what logic could the government possibly be using to justify the winch’s lack of use?

It may not have been utilised every week, but when it was it literally saved lives.

The absurdity of not having a winch was again highlighted recently when hikers were trapped in a New England gorge and a chopper had to be flown – at great expense – from Newcastle to retrieve them.

This is despite another chopper sitting in nearby Tamworth base while its winch gathers dust in a back shed.

Mr Anderson should not be blamed for this, he is simply obliged to try and sell a dud policy.

The blame lays squarely at the feet of the health department and its minister, Jillian Skinner.

And if Mrs Skinner thinks the community will stop fighting for this critical piece of equipment, then she should think again.