An Albanese Labor Government will ensure the Northern Territory has 100 per cent rescue and medivac coverage by providing $10 million to CareFlight to purchase a second NT Rescue Helicopter.

CareFlight is an air ambulance charity servicing Northern Australia, bringing air hospitals to people living in remote Australia who cannot wait to get to a traditional hospital for life-saving care.

CareFlight employs specialist doctors, nurses, and paramedics who use air ambulances to reach critically ill and injured patients.

Currently, the NT has only one Rescue Helicopter servicing a jurisdiction much larger than any country in the European Union.

This means that one third of the time, there is no helicopter air ambulance service available servicing the people of the NT, endangering some of the most at-risk Australians.

Labor will finance the purchase of a second specially outfitted AW139 helicopter to ensure 100 per cent coverage of the NT and provide additional capacity for supporting organisations wanting to invest in remote areas of the NT.

This investment will also support Australian Defence Force and United States Marine Corps exercises in the Northern Territory, Australian Maritime Safety Authority responses, and for natural disaster response within Australia and across the region.

An Albanese Labor Government will work closely with the NT Government and CareFlight to ensure the best ongoing year-round rescue capability.  

"When tragedy strikes, CareFlight takes to the skies to provide immediate lifesaving care and services to transport Territorians to safety and advanced care," said Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon.

"From the Arafura Sea to the Gulf country and beyond, CareFlight are there when Territorians most need help. 

"They save the lives by getting expert medical help to the patient and then the patient to advanced care in a hospital.

"This additional helicopter will ensure that we can help more Territorians and not have their life-saving service off-line during maintenance of the other helicopter."

Candidate for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, said the NT's regional healthcare system needed investment.

“When there is an emergency, especially out bush, we need a quick response. This investment from Federal Labor will mean we get one," she said.

“This will make a world of difference for our communities all around the Northern Territory.” 

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said an Albanese Labor Government would increase capacity to deliver lifesaving care for people no matter where they were.

"This commitment will help save lives," she said.

"Labor will back our doctors and nurses to provide critical care to Territorians when they need it most."