Two Air Force Planes Break Down in One Day?
Two Air Force Planes Break Down in One Day?
Tuesday 15 Oct 2002 Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Foreign Affairs & Defence
Reports that two Air Force aircraft have
broken down in one day show a massive rundown of
capacity, ACT Defence Spokesman Ken Shirley said
today.
"For our Air Force Boeing 727 to break down with engine trouble at Brisbane Airport en route to Cairo is bad enough. But for our C130 Hercules to also get stranded on its way to provide urgent aid to victims of the Bali bombings is a massive embarrassment to our country.
"It is particularly galling that this embarrassment should be revealed in Australian parliament by the Australian Attorney General, who stated that Australian police personnel were unable to hitch a ride on the Hercules.
"I have been asking parliamentary questions on the safety and maintenance of our C130 Hercules, and I am still waiting for reply.
"I believe our defence personnel are doing their best to make do under extremely trying circumstances. But at the end of the day, a string and elastic approach to defence will leave us stranded and unable to provide even basic support when it is needed," Mr Shirley said.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.