Defence Minister Richard Marles says VIP flights data creates ‘targets’

Richard Marles has warned the release of information about his taxpayer funded VIP flights could create “a target”.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has warned national security advice suggests that the release of information about his taxpayer funded VIP flights could create “a target” as he refused to say whether all information about his $3.6 million in travel will be detailed.

Mr Marles has been handed a September 13 deadline to hand over documents revealing the dates and cost of every flight he took on VIP aircraft in the past year.

Last week, Mr Marles was accused of putting former speaker Bronwyn Bishop “to shame” over revelations he had taken RAAF flights to Avalon – close to his home – instead of using a Comcar.

She was previously the subject of a storm of controversy over a single trip to Geelong using a helicopter.

For fifty years, successive governments have tabled the details of taxpayer-funded military flights including the passenger manifest lists, but that is no longer happening. Mr Marles sought advice over the security implications.

The Coalition and the Greens combined in the Senate last Tuesday to order the release of the documents amid revelations Mr Marles booked 700 hours in RAAF special-purpose aircraft flights since last year and separately hitched a lift to attend a Matildas game.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Marles hinted that he may refuse to produce some material to the Senate based on national security advice.

“Will you be releasing details of where you spent the $3.6 million for the Senate?’’ host Andrew Clennell asked.

“Ah. Well. We are keen, as we always have been, to release as much information as possible, within the bounds of the national security advice that we’ve been given and will continue to be given,’’ Mr Marles replied.

“Indeed, that order the production of documents coming out the Senate acknowledges that fact as well as it asks for information consistent with what is the national security advice.

“And we will provide that information. But look Andrew, I come back to what I’ve said repeatedly, everywhere I’ve gone, everything I’ve done has been in the pursuit of my duties on behalf of the Australian people. So, I very much stand by every flight.”

Minister for Defence, Richard Marles during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Clennell then asked a second time if would use the security advice to withhold some material.

“Well the advice will be the advice,’’ Mr Marles replied. “I don’t give the national security advice. We will release as much information as we can within the bounds of the national security advice.”

Mr Marles, who documented his travels over the weekend on his own Instagram account including to Sydney, a NSW electorate and back to Geelong, suggested releasing his flight details every six months might provide “pattern of life” data that could make him a target.

“And the issue there, is a concern that the national security agencies have.. is about not revealing patterns of behaviour which create a target. People can understand, but within the bounds of that I’m obviously keen to see as much information revealed,’’ he said.

“Because I’ve authorised flights to the extent you’ve described, a whole lot of people fly on those planes, my direct contribution is a fraction of that number.

Clennell then interjected that his direct component was $3.6 million, Mr Marles replied that there were other people also on the plane, a fact previously detailed when the Defence Department published the manifest.

“A whole lot of people flew on those planes,’’ he insisted.

Asked about claims he was getting VIPs to take him too and from Geelong to skip the traffic, Mr Marles noted he was in Geelong that morning, revealing his own location.

“My flights from here to Geelong, where I am today, to Canberra on a regular basis, I habitually do commercial. And I can completely demonstrate that,’’ he said.

News.com.au has previously revealed Mr Marles sought advice from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) late last year on the security implications of making that information public and has defended the move.

He has until 3pm next Thursday to provide the details on the dates and costs of every flight taken since January 2021 as well as their origins and destinations, subject to the national security advice which mentions pattern of life data.

Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said Mr Marles should “absolutely” release details of his flights.

Senator Bridget McKenzie. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“If you’ve got nothing to hide, be upfront and transparent,’’ she said.

“This government talked a big game about transparency and accountability when they were seeking election, and they’ve done nothing but run cover ups for their ministers for their decisions, and for their friends.”

The Senate’s notice to produce also called for the government to “provide its security advice that justifies these decisions” confidentially to the parliamentary joint standing committee on intelligence and security.

It will enable scrutiny by the opposition and some government backbenchers over whether or not the government is being genuine in the way it’s acting upon that security advice or whether it’s using that advice as a shield to make the most of SPA (special purpose aircraft) aircraft,” he said.