Has anyone heard what happened with the SPA tender?

Shortlisted to two companies, awaiting announcement.

Just announced....RAAF to convert one KC30A for VIP duties.
Minimal changes.
Smart move!

No, not just announced. Only a SMH article saying that government will convert an A330. Still 2 preferred bidders, announcement early in new year with smaller aircraft to be added.

I wonder if they'll convert the A330 for major Prime Ministerial international trips (where they want to take the press corp along) and quietly keep the BBJs for more discreet, more local uses. i.e. the foreign minister hopping to Jakarta, or the PM running domestically around Australia.

I can't see them having nothing between an A330 and a Challenger.

I suspect that's exactly what they'll do, as it was back in the 'old' days when the BAC 1-11s, DA-20s and HS-748s did the majority of VIP flying, and the B707 was called in for longer overseas trips or the odd election campaign. I also suspect they'll need to convert more than one KC30A to fill the role, firstly to provide a spare and secondly to cater for the Opposition's requirements during election campaigns.

They are taking two ex QF 330-200's off lease so I imagine they could fairly easily use those as pax/vip machines and do the refuelling mods to a pax machine, rather than converting a tanker to a pax machine.

Snakecharma,

Sounds as though that's what they are doing, if the following November 2015 article from Australian Defence Magazine is correct:

New tankers to have VIP interior

I wonder if the A330/MRTT would even get used much during election campaigns - they typically involve a lot of visits to regional centres that might not have the infrastructure for that size aircraft. An MRTT was parked outside my office window ten days ago, they certainly ain't small. The BBJ/rented Fokker-for-the-press model seemed to work for the government last election.

Most importantly of all of course, will the dual-purpose MRTT be painted in VIP colours like the BBJs or in refuelling low-vis? If the former, expect much to be made of how 'it can be repainted for war in 48 hours', etc etc. Just as Brittania was so often used in her secondary role as a hospital ship. ;)

Canadian AF A310 VIP aircraft is a tanker in 50 Shades of combat Grey. The RAF sticks with grey like NZ 757's. French and German VIP Airbus A310/A340 are in the state company colours. What's the big deal here.?

RAF in UK already use an A330 Voyager (RAAF KC30) in the VIP role. Flys in normal RAF grey.
2 others leased to UK charter airlines. Of the 14 in use only 7/9 required at the moment for RAF transport/ refuelling task. Most of military plumbing remains and can be re roled if required.

ANY UPDATE? We will see KC30 but what about regional duties?

Not so. Canadian AF A310 is has a white top, blue and read striping converging near the forward door where a very large maple leaf is featured. The tail has a Canadian flag, two lines of the Canadian National Anthem are featured under the cockpit on different sides "The True North Strong and Free" and a line from the French version as well I think. It is a very clear advert for Canada and instead of CAF titles it simply has "GOVERNMENT OF CANADA" and "GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA" on each side separated by a small maple leave as per the Canadian Flag.

The RCAF VIP A310 001 is not a tanker. They use others for VIP which are gray birds ...

For what its worth the Govt said our will all be tankers with one fitted for VIP....who knows what their Airships will do.

I guess there's two arguments. Dedicated aircraft like USA and Canada have a special livery and are obviously not 'normal' military so provide some protection from a misunderstanding say, when entering an area that is contested. For example, if the US President flew over the South China Sea it would be no problem. If his aircraft was painted in US grey and looked like a military asset it might get shot down in error. However, when visiting troops in Iraq or Afghanistan it surely raises the risk having that special livery as it looks like something the enemy might want to have a shot at???

I think Aus PM/ others troop visits are usually serviced by Military aircraft and not the VIP fleet.

Probably true in our case but the US uses Air Force One (or more correctly, a VC-25A whose call sign becomes AFO when it has his orangeness aboard).
In that case, a decent livery would be a good statement and/or advertisement for the country instead of the bland stuff we have now.
Of course, I also admit it won't be the end of the world if it's still grey.