Energy Minister Chris Bowen defends himself and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese using two RAF jets

“As you can imagine, a prime ministerial visit, two cabinet ministers, we limited the number of staff and, even then, the Air Force advice was [two jets] was the most efficient way of getting us there,” Bowen said.

Media advisers, staffers and office photographers were present for the launch. It is not known how many were on the planes.

The Albanese government has previously had to defend its use of RAF jets, as, in August last year, Defence Minister Richard Marles controversially refused to reveal his flights on the VIP aircraft, which were reported at the time to have cost more than $3.6 million.

A further data dump in December last year also revealed Albanese spent more than $3.3 million from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, on VIP flights.