Australian government accused of flight secrecy

BTN News
Friday, 14 June 2024

The Australian government has been asked to be transparent about the details of more than A$25 million in taxpayer-funded VIP flights for Australian government ministers and dignitaries.


The Canberra government has cited 'national security' for its decision to keep the flight logs secret.

Guardian Australia says the total cost for using Defence aircraft was A$26.6 million in the 2021-23 period, with the largest bill last year for the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who cost taxpayers more than A$4 million. 

His total beat defence minister Richard Marles, (A$1,915,094 in 2023), governor general David Hurley (A$908,397) and foreign affairs minister Penny Wong (A$767,716).

Under the Albanese government’s updated VIP flight guidelines, only the overall annual domestic and international flying hours and costs are attributed to each politician.

Australian federal police commissioner Reece Kershaw has said police saw “growing threats against parliamentarians” including increased reports of harassment due to “recent world events”.

Kershaw said reports of harassment, nuisance, offensive and threatening communications against Australian parliamentarians was up by 160 per cent.

Australian government accused of flight secrecy

BTN News
Friday, 14 June 2024

The Australian government has been asked to be transparent about the details of more than A$25 million in taxpayer-funded VIP flights for Australian government ministers and dignitaries.


The Canberra government has cited 'national security' for its decision to keep the flight logs secret.

Guardian Australia says the total cost for using Defence aircraft was A$26.6 million in the 2021-23 period, with the largest bill last year for the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who cost taxpayers more than A$4 million. 

His total beat defence minister Richard Marles, (A$1,915,094 in 2023), governor general David Hurley (A$908,397) and foreign affairs minister Penny Wong (A$767,716).

Under the Albanese government’s updated VIP flight guidelines, only the overall annual domestic and international flying hours and costs are attributed to each politician.

Australian federal police commissioner Reece Kershaw has said police saw “growing threats against parliamentarians” including increased reports of harassment due to “recent world events”.

Kershaw said reports of harassment, nuisance, offensive and threatening communications against Australian parliamentarians was up by 160 per cent.