❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the use of private charter flights by departments, agencies, and statutory authorities within specific ministerial portfolios. Several agencies report no use, while DFES and RWWA confirm usage for operational reasons.
AnsweredQoN 1438Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 December 2025
Member
Portfolio
Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming
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
Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming
Response time
3 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) Yes.
(bi) $302,503.58
(bii-v) Private charter flights are engaged for prevention and preparedness activities when there are no registered public transport options available, seasonal accessibility of remote locations, or for cost effectiveness, as well as for core operational activities demanding the need for a timely and effective response to an emergency. Passengers have included DFES personnel, as well as members of career and volunteer fire and rescue groups.
*To date is between 1 July 2025 to 3 December 2025
**All costs excluding GST
Burswood Park Board advises:
(a) No (b) N/A
Gaming and Wagering Commission advises:
(a) No private charter flights were utilised. (b) Not applicable.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia advises:
(a) Yes. Private charter flights were utilised by RWWA during the 2024-25 financial year and the current financial year to date, however, only for the purpose of transporting essential race day personnel and jockeys to race meetings in regional Western Australia where commercial flight options were unavailable or impractical.
(b) (i) to (v)
Private charter flights were used on an as-required basis to support the safe and efficient conduct of regional race meetings. These flights were operational in nature and arranged to ensure critical race day personnel, such as Stewards, and jockeys could attend scheduled race meetings. Costs, dates, routes and passenger details varied depending on operational requirements. Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s operations are primarily funded through industry-generated revenue streams, including wagering activities, rather than direct funding from the State Government.
Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services advises:
(a) Nil (b) N/A
I refer to the Premier's response in regard to the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Minister Beazley's response in regard to Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, and the Attorney General's response in regard to the Department of Justice.
(a) Yes.
(bi) $302,503.58
(bii-v) Private charter flights are engaged for prevention and preparedness activities when there are no registered public transport options available, seasonal accessibility of remote locations, or for cost effectiveness, as well as for core operational activities demanding the need for a timely and effective response to an emergency. Passengers have included DFES personnel, as well as members of career and volunteer fire and rescue groups.
*To date is between 1 July 2025 to 3 December 2025
**All costs excluding GST
Burswood Park Board advises:
(a) No (b) N/A
Gaming and Wagering Commission advises:
(a) No private charter flights were utilised. (b) Not applicable.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia advises:
(a) Yes. Private charter flights were utilised by RWWA during the 2024-25 financial year and the current financial year to date, however, only for the purpose of transporting essential race day personnel and jockeys to race meetings in regional Western Australia where commercial flight options were unavailable or impractical.
(b) (i) to (v)
Private charter flights were used on an as-required basis to support the safe and efficient conduct of regional race meetings. These flights were operational in nature and arranged to ensure critical race day personnel, such as Stewards, and jockeys could attend scheduled race meetings. Costs, dates, routes and passenger details varied depending on operational requirements. Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s operations are primarily funded through industry-generated revenue streams, including wagering activities, rather than direct funding from the State Government.
Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services advises:
(a) Nil (b) N/A
I refer to the Premier's response in regard to the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Minister Beazley's response in regard to Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, and the Attorney General's response in regard to the Department of Justice.
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