Plane hypocrisy: Albo and Bowen take separatejet trips to attend the same event in Hunter Valley

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has defended the use of two jets toget himself and the Prime Minister to the same solar energy announcement in theHunter Valley.

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April 1, 2024 - 3:16PM

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Chris Bowen has ‘belled thecat’ on Labor's $40 billion renewable commitment

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EnergyMinister Chris Bowen has defended the use of two jets to ferry himself andPrime Minister Anthony Albanese to a clean energy event in the Hunter Valley,at an estimated cost to taxpayers of more than $100,000, despite cheapercommercial options being available.

A picture of two Dassault Falcon 7X jets belonging to the RoyalAustralian Airforce snapped last Thursday morning was posted to a localcommunity Facebook page, leading to questions about why two planes were neededto take Mr Albanese and Mr Bowen from Canberra to the same event in Scone.

Mr Albanese and Mr Bowen were going to the Hunter Valley that dayto announce $1 billion in funding for the “Solar SunShot” program to encouragethe local manufacture of solar panels.

Records on the Flight Aware website indicate that two DassaultFalcon business jets belonging to the RAAF landed at Scone Airport within 20minutes of each other Thursday morning.

An image online appears to show two private jets at Scone Airporton the day Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen visited to announce the SolarSunShot Program. Picture: 2GB

The first plane left Canberra at 8:42am and landed less than anhour later at 9:23am.

The second left 20 minutes later at 9:02am and landed at 9:40am.

When asked why the Prime Minister and Energy Minister needed twoprivate jets to go to the same event, Mr Bowen said the decision was madefollowing advice from the military.

“The Air Force advised that the most efficient way to get thePrime Minister and two cabinet ministers to the Liddell Power Station was to goto Scone Airport, where the runway was not rated for the Prime Minister’snormal large jet,” Mr Bowen said Monday.

“The Prime Minister has a large jet available to him, that wouldnormally be what we take. The runway at Scone wasn’t strong enough to take alarge jet so the air force … took a decision for two jets.”

Mr Bowen claimed the large number of staff in his office and MrAlbanese’s office meant they could not fit on one jet, due to the lack ofseats.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, MP Chris Bowen and MP PennySharpe visited the Hunter Valley to announce a $1 billion program that aims toboost the number of solar panels made in Australia. Liddell Power Station nearMuswellbrook will be developed as a solar manufacturing hub. Photo: PMO / Supplied

Former flight captain and aviation consultant Byron Bailey saidthat with each plane costing between $10,000 and $15,000 an hour to run, withwaiting times the total bill “could have been as much as $100,000”.

“I’m absolutely disgusted with what’s going on here,” he said.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said that despite theexplanation “taxpayers are right to ask questions about the need for two VIPjets to get the entourage of ministers and their staff to a solar renewablesannouncement in Newcastle when there were direct commercial flights available.”

“It is perplexing ... particularly when there were flights costing$208 per person (to Newcastle) available.”