Labor's RAAF is to have the Air Force become the Government Airline

Wed, 18th June 2008

New VIP aircraft - Questions remain on cost and capability

Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Special Minister of State (to 22 September 2008)

Senator the Hon Nick Minchin
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Shadow Minister for Defence (to 22 September 2008)

Joint Release.

Speculation today regarding the conversion of the RAAF's new tanker aircraft to VIP aircraft raises a number of questions about the cost of this proposal and the impact it will have on our Air Force's capability and Commonwealth budget long term.

News Limited newspapers this morning report that the RAAF will convert two of its five new Airbus A-330 tankers to VIP aircraft.

''This proposal does come as a surprise as it was only two weeks ago in Senate Estimates that the Chief of the Defence Forces denied that any work was underway within Defence to look at alternative options to the current VIP fleet,'' Senator Minchin said.

''Is it political interference from the Prime Minister's office or Defence Minister's office that is driving a decision to convert these two tankers?

''This leads me to fear that the views of the RAAF are being ignored. The Government needs to answer some questions -

What impact will this have on the RAAF's capability? These tankers are being acquired for air-to-air refuelling and for military transport. If two planes are taken off line to become VIPs, how will this affect the RAAF ability to keep our new Super Hornet and JSF fleets in the air?

If the RAAF and the Prime Minister both need the aircraft at a particular time, how will this conflict be resolved - will the RAAF lose out to the Prime Minister every time?

Will the RAAF be forced to absorb the cost of this conversion, and if so, what other military capability will be sacrificed to upgrade transport for politicians and media?''

Senator Ronaldson has also raised a number of concerns about the cost of this proposal.

''Mr Rudd needs to be upfront about all of the costs associated with this proposal before locking taxpayers into an upgrade to the VIP fleet,'' said Senator Ronaldson.

''The current VIP fleet is leased until 2014 - what is the cost of breaking that lease?

''Ian McPhedran's article today estimates that it would cost $50 million to install bedrooms, office, bathrooms, and business class seating in the two planes - is that figure correct, and where would the money come from?

''What cheaper alternative options are available and are they being considered?

''What happened on the trip to Japan? The public has the right to know what has changed in the last 14 days since both the CDF and the Prime Minister said there were no plans to change the VIP fleet?

''Considering that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority estimates the total operating cost an Airbus A-330 at $6,372.73 per hour as against the BBJ 737 at $3,339.69 per hour, what is the increased ongoing cost to Australian taxpayers?

''Mr Rudd likes to wax lyrical about reducing carbon emissions. What is the carbon footprint of the Airbus A-330 as compared to the BBJ 737 and how does that reconcile with Mr Rudd's frequently stated position on reducing carbon emissions?'' Senator Ronaldson concluded.

http://www.liberal.org.au/news.php?Id=1107