WA Labor makes election pledge to withdraw one of two WA Government aircraft

5 February 2013 © David Eyre

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has promised that one of the  two State Government business aircraft will be withdrawn, if Labor wins the  State Election on 9 March 2013, in an effort to save millions of taxpayer  dollars.

Currently, the WA Government leases two aircraft, which are  both operated by Maroomba Airlines.

Beech King Air B200 VH-MQZ is leased for 33 hours per month,  and Hawker 850XP VH-MQY is leased for 42 hours per month, at a total cost of  almost $524,000 per month. Labor claims that over $21 million has been spent on  charter flights over the last four years and that only one aircraft is needed.

Labor accused the Minister for Regional Development, Brendon  Grylls, of using the aircraft as a “chauffeur-driven taxi service”. Mr Grylls  responded that he used the aircraft in accordance with Government guidelines,  flying about twice per month to the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Goldfields  and he uses regular airline services where possible.