Taxpayers to pay $450m for two new luxury Boeing 737 business jets for PM and Cabinet
The Federal Government will spend more than $450 million for two new Boeing 737 business jets from unspent money in last year’s Defence’s budget for flying the Prime Minister and his Cabinet around, The Australian has reported.
The jets are due to be delivered in July, replacing two 20-year-old Boeing 737s, and will be used by the Prime Minister, the Governor-General and other government ministers.
According to The Australian, the public will be denied information on which dignitaries use the luxury B737 Max 8 aircraft until well after their flights, and their trip details will be kept secret on security grounds.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Plans to lease the jets were axed after it was revealed it would cost an additional $100 million for a 12-year lease, prompting a decision to buy the jets outright.
The news comes less than a week after the Federal Budget was announced, where Treasurer Jim Chalmers received backlash for failing to deliver a budget that offered real relief for cost-of-living pressures.
The 737-8s have three times the cabin space of a typical private jet, carrying at least 19 passengers on journeys of more than 12,000km without refuelling.
The new jets have sleeping quarters and meeting facilities, and are fitted with business-class seats for all passengers.
It is understood the jets were ordered under the previous Coalition Government.
