News.com.au
A TOP-secret, anti-terror spy plane operated by Australian Federal Police was used to find Tim Holding.
The plane, equipped with the latest surveillance gear, was flying high above severe weather on Mt Feathertop when a torch light was seen inside Mr Holding's tent about 10pm on Monday.
When the cloud lifted the next morning a police rescue helicopter took to the air knowing exactly where the MP was.
A Channel 7 news chopper saw him first, but the police cavalry was close behind.
The spy plane revelation - by Victoria Police - was a breach of national security.
The plane is not mentioned by the AFP in its annual reports.
It is believed to have been tested last year and has start-of-the-art surveillance equipment.
Sources said the plane's main purpose was anti-terrorism operations.
AFP chief Mick Keelty, on his second last day in the job, offered the use of the plane to search for Mr Holding.
Victoria Police mentioned the plane on its website when it announced a campsite used by Mr Holding was seen on Monday night by a plane using sophisticated night vision equipment.
"Police located minister Tim Holding just after 10am this morning after an AFP plane located a possible camp site overnight," the statement said.
The statement was later amended to remove all mention of the AFP.
Victoria Police media head Insp Richard Reid contacted media organisations to request that the information be removed.
Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland denied the search for Mr Holding was given the highest priority because he was a minister.
"The resourcing is no different. I mean, a life is a life so we take anyone missing, anyone at risk, as a serious issue and we resource that appropriately," he said.
Premier John Brumby said any search for any missing person was treated with the same care.
He did not request the plane and became aware of its use only after the rescue.
"If anybody is ever lost in the mountains they get the same standard of care and the same standard of search that was applied in this case," he said.
Neither Victoria Police or the AFP would answer questions about the mysterious plane.
But sources said that it could be a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan or a Britten Norman Defender, which had been heavily modified to conduct covert operations at high altitude.
The AFP did not deny it operated the plane, but refused to answer questions about when it had been acquired, what it was used for, or if it had been used in previous rescue operations.
The AFP also refused to comment on speculation that the aircraft was a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan.
"The search-and-rescue mission undertaken to locate Victoria government minister Tim Holding was co-ordinated by Victoria Police. All media inquiries should be directed to that organisation," an AFP statement said