Richard Marles accuses Peter Dutton of hypocrisy over VIP flights

Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended his $3m-plus use of VIP planes since being sworn into office.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended his $3m-plus use of VIP planes since being sworn into office and has dodged questions over whether he was taking his golf clubs on the flights that are supposed to be reserved for government business.

Under scrutiny from the Coalition in question time, Mr Marles returned fire and revealed Peter Dutton twice applied for a spot on VIP flights to attend Matildas games during the Women’s World Cup.

The Opposition Leader declined to comment on the claim.

It was reported last month that Mr Marles spent $16,000 to take a VIP flight from Labor’s nat­ional conference in Brisbane to watch the Matildas’ semi-final against England in Sydney.

It was also revealed he had clocked up $3.6m in VIP flights since April 2022 and has cited security reasons for not publishing the chartered flights of ministers, with the information only becoming public through a freedom of information request.

In question time on Monday, opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie asked Mr Marles whether he had taken his golf clubs on official business or whether anyone outside of his family, personal or departmental staff had travelled with him on VIP flights.

“Can the minister confirm whether he has taken his golf clubs with him on any defence, VIP special-purpose aircraft flights, and if so on how many flights,’’ Mr Hastie asked.

A furious Mr Marles said the opposition “reeks of hypocrisy” and the issue had been “kicked along because of a spreadsheet which has been produced by the Leader of the Opposition’s office which has been riddled with ­errors”.

“We have something of an inkling in relation to that by virtue of his behaviour since he’s been the Leader of the Opposition, because, as the now Minister for Defence, my office has logged numerous requests from the Leader of the Opposition about him going on special-purpose aircraft – including in the last six weeks, two times at least in writing, to go to a game of the Matildas,” he told parliament.

“The special-purpose aircraft are an important capability which facilitates government travel. We use it appropriately. Those opposite know it. Their attempt to politicise it is pathetic but, worse, it reeks of hypocrisy.”

Coalition sources claimed Mr Dutton requested two seats on two separate flights. The first flight was on July 31 taking cabinet ministers to a Matildas match. But government sources rejected this claim, saying Mr Dutton requested his own VIP flight.

Mr Dutton later requested to fly on a VIP flight on August 4 but ended up travelling commercially to the game.

Mr Marles refused to reveal whether he travelled with his golf clubs on VIP flights, but has played golf at one of the most exclusive golf courses in the US.

Assistant Climate Change and Energy Minister Jenny McAllister told a Senate estimates hearing that Mr Marles was sponsored by Bob Dwyer to play at Baltusrol Golf Club near New York City.

Opposition workplace relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said the government had promised to be transparent but continued to refuse to provide further details on Mr Marles’ use of VIP flights.

“This is a government that preached transparency prior to the election,” Senator Cash told Sky News. “There’s a $3.6m question hanging over Richard Marles’ head. In 2016, he was one of the most vocal opposition members in relation to the release of information on these flights

“It’s a very simple question, were you using the (special-purpose aircraft) as your own personal taxi? If so, just be upfront and say it. If you took your golf clubs on it, just be upfront.”