David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 22 March 2011:

With reference to the answer provided to question on notice numbers 117-119:

(1) How many attended the VIP catered event at the Williamtown Air Show from 10 November to 1 November 2010.

(2) What was the cost per head for this function.

(3) What was the official purpose of this function.

(4) Who approved the expenditure.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Forty-six Defence attendees and 230 non-Defence attendees.

(2) $60.14.

(3)    The Williamtown Air Show was the major Defence Force air show for 2010. The VIP facility allowed the Chief of Air Force to host, in an appropriate style, influential and important members of the Federal, NSW and Local Governments, the Hunter community and the Australian Defence Organisation. This is an established practice which is essential given the nature of the air shows which draw up to 30,000 members of the public each day. The VIP enclosure provides shade, seating, catering and toilet facilities appropriate to a VIP hosted function.

(b) The Head Special Events—Air Force and Director Coordination – Air Force.