Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 1 August 2011:

In regard to the special purpose aircraft:

(1) For the past 6 months, on what dates did the Prime Minister fly to Darwin via a special purpose aircraft.

(2) For each occasion, what was the length of time:

(a) the aircraft was on the tarmac; and

(b) the engines were kept running while the aircraft was on the tarmac.

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) In the period from 1 February 2011 to 31 July 2011, the Prime Minister flew to Darwin on a Special Purpose Aircraft on three dates — 7, 8 and 28 June 2011.

(2) (a) On 7 June 2011 the aircraft was on the tarmac for approximately 14 hours and 5 minutes. On 8 June 2011 the aircraft was on the tarmac for approximately 18 hours and 20 minutes. On 28 June 2011 the aircraft was on the tarmac for approximately 18 hours.

(b) Normally on arrival, the engines are shut down within 30 seconds of reaching the parking position. On departure, the engines are running from between five to ten minutes before take-off. The aircrew involved in the Darwin tasks on 7, 8 and 28 June 2011 have advised that engine operating times followed normal procedures.