My point was rally polies should insist we have trooping flights on first world mainline carriers.
As a further aside. Unless you re a nuclear power don't need secure coms for PM. It is a wank for PM to say they "need" secure coms 24/7.

Yeah, he should just use twitter...:hmm:

When Qantas has had excess capacity that's occurred. Of course, Qantas (or VOZ) doesn't ten have spare capacity hanging around for military charters so it's kind of a moot point.

There was a 7X in Melbourne's skies today, so either the demos are ongoing, or there's some route-proving going on?

So that everyone in Australia actually gets to hear about what their PM is doing. Believe it or not but communication to the general populous is an important part of running the country.
WTF? Please tell me this is a sh!t stir?:ugh::hmm:

WTF It's not a ****stir.
I rmain unconvinced any of our PM's are vital to every important decision ofgovernment. We are a cabinet system, not a presidential system. As current PM has pointed out he is "first amoung equals".
I would be happy for the PM to delegate authority to make urgent decisions to the national security committee if he/she is not in coms for a few hours. What happens if PM gets ill, and has op - he would delegse to Cabinet led by deputy PM.
This thought that we must act like US and have constant comms with PM is nonsense in our situation.

Just because we do not have the same crap system as the US does not mean we have a powerless PM. The ability for those in charge to not only do their work while traveling and be in contact with their people in Australia and abroad (securely) is incredibly important.
Also we only have one PM. :hmm:

The UK government, and PM, seems to be able to function without a dedicated long range VIP aircraft, and without secure coms on long trips.

I haven't even started with those.
The PM and other high ranking political officers do indeed need secure communications and transport. With or without access to nuclear weapons they still have highly secure information that they may need to communicate en-route. That information, if intercepted, could result in the deaths of Australians, be they serving, clandestine, or civilian. This is not the same as transporting troops outside of warzones.

That would be Ok if we actually got news, not the :mad: that is a personal opinion or some snide remark that is dished up on a 24hr cycle by the so called press.

What's the saying? "Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot, than open your mouth and dispel all doubt..."
With respect, you appear to know very little of that which you pontificate...

Well I can't argue with that. :ok::}

Joseph
Sanctimonious misquoting is not something to be proud of, but you may get some satisfaction from it.
There is no decision for which the PM is vital or indispensable in th short term.as above,
I would be happy for him or her to delegate to National Security Committee or Cabinet any sudden need for an instant decision in the hours PM was out of coms.
It's called the Westminster System.
Look it up.

Satisfaction received! Get with the times...

Hey Continueapproach737- What is "Renewel" ? Is it some Boeing term? :ugh:

Excuse my ignorance of clandestine and super-techy equipment......but with regards to secure comms.....I imagine that there are good quality portable devices that the ADF can acquire......or even semi-portable....that are secure.
Load that onto any long range jet and away we go!!!!



On the other hand.....

My understanding is that the ADF have two leased BBJ's....primarily one for the Governor General and one for the PM.

Why not acquire another BBJ and one 330??
It can then be co-ordinated who uses what a/c with regards to the length of the trip required.
Then you have long-range capability (A330) and shorter field capability (BBJ) covered.
Both can be maintained by Qantas.

The press will have a field day regardless of what aircraft you purchase...the politicians know this and will have speeches prepared to respond.

At the very least, they can play the card that QF will be maintaining them....therefore protecting jobs, workers etc etc etc.......

Just a thought......


Eternity.

Really?:eek:

Maybe with half the fuselage as a fuel tank.

I've been in the BBJ a few times in my previous life. The aircraft, then anyway, were very basic.

If you get the impression these aircraft had gold plated taps and spa baths think again. They were meant to be airborne offices and deliberately understated to keep the voter happy.

I agree with Keg. We send these aircraft overseas with the leaders of our country aboard. Regardless of your politics, I'd prefer to see that service provided by the RAAF in an aircraft designed for the purpose. I'd love to see the RAAF doing troop transports too rather than via the lowest bidder, but that's another issue.

Not only does a dedicated aircraft allow the ministers the opportunity to work in transit, it also gives them a certain status that commercial flights don't allow. In the wider world of politics, this status is actually worth something.

I reckon B789s would fit the bill nicely.

Germany uses A340
Canada uses A310
Japan uses B777
France uses A330/340

The PM and others don't follow normal scheduled service routes on most occasions and with a cadre of others not to mention the peanut gallery (aka the press) they'd book half a scheduled service. Changing itineraries etc

Security is a big issue too

Or an Il-76 like we had on the way back from the MEAO in '03... :}