Operation Catalyst

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 27 November 2009:

To ask the Minister for Defence—With reference to the national welcome home parade to mark the end of Operation CATALYST on 21 November 2009:

1. (a) Who was invited to this function; and (b) when were the invitations issued.
2. (a) What assistance was provided to those invited for the following arrangements: (i) travel, (ii) accommodation, and (iii) transport; and (b) what was the cost of these arrangements.
3. (a) What hospitality arrangements were made for this event; and (b) what was the cost of these arrangements.
4. Were separate hospitality arrangements made for Very Important People (VIP) invited to this event; if so: (a) who was on the VIP list; and (b) what was the cost of these separate arrangements.
5. Was an Australian Defence Force helicopter used to provide transport for any of the invited guests; if so: (a) which guests were transported in the helicopter; (b) where did the helicopter pick up the guests; (c) to where were the guests transported; (d) who requested that this form of transport be provided for the selected guests; (e) who approved the use of the helicopter to provide this transport service; and (f) what was the cost of using the helicopter for providing this service. nvited to this function; and (b) when were the invitations issued.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable Senator’s question is as follows:

1.  
   1. The Governor-General, Prime Minister and other Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, opposition spokespersons, federal and local representatives and opposition members, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Defence Attaches of the countries Australia participated with in Iraq, Iraqi military attendees at Australian defence establishments, senior Defence executives, previous Australian Defence Force commanders of Operation Catalyst, a previous Australian ambassador to Iraq, widows of service men killed on Operation CATALYST and current serving and retired veterans.
   2. 8 October to 20 November 2009.
2.  
   1.  
      1. Air travel was provided for the Army representatives from Darwin, Townsville and Brisbane. Coach travel was provided for the Army representatives and the Band of Royal Australian Navy from Sydney.
      2. Accommodation was provided for the Army representatives from Darwin, Townsville and Brisbane.
      3. Transport was provided for Chief of the Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Chief of Army and Chief of Air Force.
   2. Approximately $130,000.
3.  
   1. Afternoon tea in the Western Courtyard of the Australian War Memorial.
   2. $8,240.
4. No.
5. Yes. Two Navy Agusta A109E helicopters were used to transport Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Chief of Army and Chief of Air Force from the Kokoda Foundation retreat to and from Canberra. Given schedule constraints, a third helicopter (a Navy Eurocopter AS350BA Squirrel) was also utilised as a contingency backup and for the transport of aircrew to provide safety briefings and flying helmet fittings.
   1. Transported guests comprised the Chief of Defence Force (Air Chief Marshal Houston), Chief of Navy (Vice Admiral Crane), Chief of Army (Lieutenant General Gillespie) and Chief of Air Force (Air Marshal Binskin).
   2. and (c) The helicopters picked up all four guests from Bowral, NSW, and transported them to Canberra, ACT. On completion of the parade all four guests were returned to Bowral.
   4. and (e) This task was requested by the Office of the Chief of the Defence Force and approved by the Chief of Navy.
   6. $22,300
      $16,000 for the two A109E helicopters and
      $6,300 for the AS350BA.

close