A senator has labelled the decision to use luxury private jets to deliver aid and Covid-19 vaccines to Pacific nations instead of RAAF planes on three occasions this year as an example of a “disgraceful” use of taxpayer money.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday confirmed that almost $600,000 was spent on three aid missions earlier this year – two trips to Tuvalu and one to Fiji.
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Monday that Crown Melbourne’s luxurious Bombardier Global XRS jets were used in the operations.
NCA NewsWire has confirmed this included two trips to Tuvalu at a total cost of $379,957.
It has also been confirmed that a luxury jet was subcontracted to be used to transport an elite team of emergency disaster responders to Fiji at a cost of $215,128 to assist with the care of critically-ill Covid patients in August.
It is understood that Defence awarded two contracts through the standard tender process on behalf of DFAT for the flights.
The private charter company then subcontracted the missions to the Crown jets, which were not in operation at the time due to Covid.
Independent senator Rex Patrick pointed to the Department of Defence’s annual report that listed its aircraft had been operating at reduced capacity due to Covid.
“I’m quite angry the taxpayer is being asked to pay twice,” he said, noting the Defence aircraft were costing money sitting idle.
“If their aircraft are tied up doing other things, the option should exist to help our neighbours. “But in circumstances where they are being under-utilised, it’s disgraceful for the government to ask the taxpayer to have Defence aircraft sit on the ground while private jets are being employed to do that job.
“In my view I would say the Royal Australian Air Force has transport capability which should be used for these sorts of activities.
“I would much rather see a Hercules or C-17 flying into Fiji or Tuvalu with an Australian flag so people understand where the plane is coming from.”
A DFAT spokesperson said in a statement they worked closely with Defence to assess the most effective mode of transport for passengers or cargo.
“Australia is committed to providing lifesaving Covid vaccines and support to manage Covid-19 outbreaks to our partners across the Pacific,” they said.
The spokesperson said that during the pandemic many countries had imposed international border restrictions, making air connectivity across the Pacific “severely disrupted”.
“Where scheduled commercial flights are not available, DFAT works closely with Defence to assess the most effective means of transport of passengers and cargo,” they said.
“This may include Defence assets or commercial transport depending on Covid-19 protocols, cargo and passenger requirements and ADF operational commitments.”
It is understood that the cost of using Defence assets and the availability of suitable aircraft is factored into considerations in the decision-making process.
Defence was contacted for comment but said it would be unable to respond by deadline.
Originally published as ’Disgraceful’: Decision to use luxury jets to deliver aid instead of Defence aircraft slammed
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