Royal Australian Air Force: Sale of Boeing 707s

Mr Lindsay asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, in writing, on 11 August 2009:

In respect of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing 707s that were taken out of service before being sold to a private company: (a) is the Minister aware that more than one year after the sale, three Boeing 707s still  remain on the tarmac at the RAAF Base Richmond; (b) does the Minister realise that the longer they remain on the tarmac, the less likely it is that experienced RAAF staff can be found who can ensure that the aircraft are airworthy to be flown to the owner’s destination of choice; (c) why have these aircraft been allowed to remain on the tarmac for so long; and (d) will the Minister direct urgent completion of the disposal process.

Mr Combet - The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

1. Yes.
2. Maintenance and airworthiness are the responsibility of the owner of the aircraft.  The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has no ongoing liability with respect to this.
3. The owner of the aircraft has entered into a contractual agreement with Defence for the removal of the aircraft within a specified timeframe. However, the exact details of this arrangement are Commercial-in-Confidence and can not be publicly released.
4. No.  There is a process in place to enable the sale contract to complete in 2009.

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