❓ A WA parliamentary question reveals the use of private charter flights by three departments (Water and Environment, Biodiversity, and Communities) for various purposes including regulatory oversight, stakeholder engagement, law enforcement, and community visits, costing a total of $277,230.42 (excluding/including GST).
AnsweredQoN 1449Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 December 2025
Member
Portfolio
the Environment; Community Services; Homelessness
QuestionView source ↗
For each department, agency or statutory authority within the Minister’s portfolios for FY24–25 and the current financial year to date: (a) Were any private charter flights utilised; and (b) If yes: (i) What was the cost; (ii) What was the date; (iii) What was the purpose of the flight; (iv) What was the departure port and arrival port; and (v) Who were the passengers (include title, organisation)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment; Community Services; Homelessness
Response time
3 days
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $101,533.00 (excluding GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The purposes of the private charter flights were to support regulatory oversight, environmental monitoring and compliance activities including site inspections, stakeholder engagement, assessment of major project proposals, and the maintenance and repair of remote gauging stations. Passengers on the flights included staff from the Department, members of the Environmental Protection Authority, and ministerial representatives.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $44,201.10 (excluding GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The private charter flights were undertaken to support law enforcement and agency response activities in remote locations, facilitate ministerial and departmental travel for engagement with Traditional Owners, and enable on-country discussions regarding national park management and tourism matters. Passengers on the flights included staff from the Department, Western Australia Police Officers, tourism industry representatives, traditional owners, and ministerial representatives.
Department of Communities
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $131,496.32 (including GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The purposes of the private charter flights were to visit remote communities with staff from the Department and health service staff. Additionally, flights were used to support children and young people in care.
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $101,533.00 (excluding GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The purposes of the private charter flights were to support regulatory oversight, environmental monitoring and compliance activities including site inspections, stakeholder engagement, assessment of major project proposals, and the maintenance and repair of remote gauging stations. Passengers on the flights included staff from the Department, members of the Environmental Protection Authority, and ministerial representatives.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $44,201.10 (excluding GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The private charter flights were undertaken to support law enforcement and agency response activities in remote locations, facilitate ministerial and departmental travel for engagement with Traditional Owners, and enable on-country discussions regarding national park management and tourism matters. Passengers on the flights included staff from the Department, Western Australia Police Officers, tourism industry representatives, traditional owners, and ministerial representatives.
Department of Communities
(a) Yes
(b) (i) $131,496.32 (including GST)
(b) (ii) – (v) The purposes of the private charter flights were to visit remote communities with staff from the Department and health service staff. Additionally, flights were used to support children and young people in care.
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