06/11/2025
đ¨đĽ OUTRAGE ALERT đĽđ¨
Have a look at this: Mike Bush Chief Commissioner of our very own Victoria Police caught riding in a taxâpayerâfunded police helicopter not once, but TWICE, and now we find out his wife took a spin too. And we're supposed to be okay with that?
What else do cops do for personal gain and why does this seem to be a normalised trend?
âď¸ What went down
According to the news, Bush used the police Air Wing helicopter on July 29 for a âfamiliarisationâ flight after heâd started his job.
Also, his wife took a 10âminute ride on June 28 in the same police helicopter. Preâarranged. On the clock. With us picking up the tab.
The police say the second flight âwas necessaryâ so he could understand how the specialist resources work.
But one hour of helicopter time costs an estimated $10,000.
đĄ Why this stinks
If youâre the top cop, youâre meant to serve the public, not treat yourself to luxuries using public money.
The âwe had to familiarise himâ defence is weak, thatâs the job. We pay you to know how your department works before you go spending ridiculous amounts of money.
His wifeâs ride? Thatâs not even âfamiliarisingâ the chief; thatâs using the rig for personal convenience.
The optics are terrible: while ordinary Victorians tighten belts, face costâofâliving stress, and wait for services, someone up top hops into a helicopter for a joyâride.
The apology? It came after the first misuse. Now we find out it wasnât an isolated incident. Either the apology was insincere, or the oversight was incompetent.
đ Questions that need answering
Who authorised the wifeâs flight? Was that approved properly? Why wasnât it flagged as personal use?
How many more flights like this have been hidden from us? If one ride was âfamiliarisationâ what prevents others being buried as âoperationalâ?
Will taxpayer funds be reimbursed? If not, why not?
What disciplinary actions are being taken? The public deserves accountability, not another âsorry, wonât do it againâ tweet.
Are all officers being held to the same standard â or is this a luxury perk for the elite?
đŁ What we demand
Transparent release of all flights taken by the Air Wing in the last 12 months, with clear categorisation of âoperationalâ vs ânonâoperationalâ usage.
A full independent audit of how much the helicopter has cost taxpayers during his tenure.
Immediate review of policy: no personal rides for senior officers or their spouses on taxpayer funded units.
A proper public forum where Bush and the board answer for this, no more behind closed doors statements.
If rules were broken: enforce consequences, not just âlessons learntâ.
đ Public trust is eroding
Every time a leader misuses public resources, it chips away at confidence in our institutions. When those in power expect taxpayers to foot the bill for their âsplendid tripsâ, itâs no wonder people feel disconnected, cynical, and underserved.
The chief of police isnât above the law, nor above the expectation of integrity.
Letâs not let this slide. Itâs not enough for him to say âIâll do betterâ we deserve proof that he will. And until then? Yes, weâll keep shining a spotlight.
Feel free to share this, tag your local MP, ask questions, demand answers. Because this is our money. These are our services. And the time for accountability is now. đĽ
