- The Crisafulli Government is bolstering aerial crime-fighting capability of POLAIR on the Sunshine Coast, expanding into Moreton Bay region.
- Budget delivers $22.8 million over three years.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and rebuilding the frontline after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and taking the State's crime-fighting capability to new heights by expanding POLAIR operations on the Sunshine Coast and extending aerial coverage into the fast-growing Moreton Bay region.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start and restoring safety where you live.
Backed by $22.8 million over three years in the Crisafulli Government's first Budget, this investment locks in a permanent, fully-resourced POLAIR capability – fixing Labor's short-term thinking and years of frontline neglect.
After a decade of decline under the former Labor government, which failed to properly fund POLAIR and left the Sunshine Coast facing the abrupt loss of this critical service after just 12 months, the Crisafulli Government is rebuilding capability, restoring confidence, and putting police where they are needed most.
In just 12 months under the Crisafulli Government, frontline police numbers have increased by 472 officers, compared with just 174 under Labor in four years.
This funding secures upgraded equipment on existing aircraft and permanently bases trained POLAIR Tactical Flight Officers on the Sunshine Coast, ensuring seamless aerial support across the region.
Since 1 January 2025, the Sunshine Coast POLAIR base has already delivered strong results for the community, including:
- 449 flights
- 133 Code 1 and 2 calls for service responded to in under 12 minutes
- 82 domestic and family violence calls for service
- 139 stolen vehicle reports
- 221 offenders arrested
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the investment was critical to making the Sunshine Coast safer.
"After a decade of decline and neglect under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live and giving our hardworking police the tools and resources they need," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"$22.8 million over three years will help boost aerial crime-fighting capabilities and ensure there's a watchful eye in the sky for our police when it's needed most."
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the expansion was about giving police the tools Labor refused to provide.
"The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer by backing our police with the resources, laws and support they need, not the empty promises and short-term funding Queenslanders saw during Labor's decade of decline," Minister Purdie said.
"Labor's failure to properly fund POLAIR put this vital service at risk; but we've fixed that, locked it in and expanded it, because community safety doesn't come with an expiry date.
"This investment means more eyes in the sky, faster response times on the ground, and stronger support for frontline officers keeping Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay families safe."
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the expanded POLAIR capability was a major win for Sunshine Coast families.
"For years, locals were promised community safety by Labor, but what they delivered was uncertainty, underfunding and services left hanging by a thread," Ms Morton said.
"The Crisafulli Government has stepped up and locked in this critical POLAIR capability because the Sunshine Coast deserves real protection, not temporary fixes as we continue to restore safety in the community."
Chief Inspector Daniel Bust said the Sunshine Coast POLAIR capability was already delivering for Queensland.
"Throughout 2025, the Sunshine Coast-based aircraft has achieved strong results for the community, directly assisting local police with hundreds of operational tasks and offender apprehensions," Chief Inspector Bust said.
"Expanding this into a full POLAIR capability for the next three years introduces trained Tactical Flight Officers performing specialist roles onboard, further strengthening our ability to support districts and keep communities safe.
"These outcomes are the result of strong collaboration with Surf Life Saving Queensland and ensuring every POLAIR deployment is aligned with operational priorities on the ground."
