MP ‘ghost’ flight costs climb to scary heights
TAXPAYERS forked out more than $365,000 in just six months to send empty VIP jets to collect Government ministers.
The RAAF’s five specialpurpose planes flew without any passengers on 74 occasions to pick up, and return from dropping off, Malcolm Turnbull’s frontbench in the second half of 2017.
Politicians, their staff — and occasionally their family members — were treated to hot meals, wine, beer and Wi-Fi on the VIP charter services.
The “ghost flights” totalled $365,908 — a $40,000 increase on the previous six months.
The most expensive empty flight cost taxpayers $20,700 when a VIP jet went from Canberra to Perth to pick up thenTrade Minister Steven Ciobo, at a cost of $20,700.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion ordered an empty VIP plane to fly from Canberra to Gove, in the Northern Territory, costing $20,240.
There was also a ghost flight from Canberra to Darwin to pick up Senator Scullion on November 12 last year, which cost $19,780.
A standard domestic flight for the same route costs between $300 and $400.
Mr Turnbull had the most ghost flights, with 32 RAAF flights for the former prime minister costing $77,554.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was next, at $54,890 for 15 empty flights.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also ordered a $4140 ghost flight from Canberra to Melbourne to pick him up.
The RAAF operates five “special purpose aircraft” from the Fairbairn air base in Canberra.
The special purpose jets are only meant to be used when a commercial flight is not a viable option, but they are ticked off by the defence minister.
A spokesman for Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said the empty flights were used by the air force for training.