Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is:

The total cost of charter and commercial flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals for the financial year of 2010 – 2011 was $28.29 million.

Of this, charter flights accounted for $18.72 million and commercial flights $9.57 million.

For the 2011 – 2012 financial year to 31 July 2011, the total cost of charter flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals is $4.24 million.

For the 2011 – 2012 financial year to July 31 July 2011, the total cost of commercial flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals is $611 672

The total expenditure on charters, commercial flights and freight for the current financial year to 31 July 2011, is $11.43 million. We do not have figures for August at this point.

It is not possible to provide an answer as to the dates, times and purpose of each flight within timeframe.

The Department does not generally use charter flights solely for the transportation of goods and products. Overall freight related to processing of Irregular Maritime arrivals totalled $450 126 for the 2010 – 2011 financial year.

See this speech in context