(1)   Has an appropriation been made for the proposed $268.2 million for the C-17 Infrastructure Project.

(2)   Can C-17 aircraft currently use runways and associated infrastructure at Amberley, Edinburgh, Darwin, Pearce and Townsville without damaging the infrastructure.

(3)   Are C-17 aircraft currently using runways and associated infrastructure at Amberley, Edinburgh, Darwin, Pearce and Townsville.

(1)   Yes.

(2)   Yes, although its maximum take-off weight will be slightly reduced when operating out of RAAF Edinburgh, Pearce and Townsville. These constraints will be remediated through the C-17 Heavy Air Lift Infrastructure project due for completion by mid-2011. Defence uses the Aircraft Classification Number/Pavement Classification Number System to ensure the pavements are not damaged by inappropriate aircraft movements. Using this system, the C-17s can operate on the runway and some taxiways of the subject airbases at reduced weights without damage to the pavement.

(3)   The C-17 has been operated at Amberley, Darwin, Pearce and Townsville. The C-17s are yet to operate through Edinburgh. The C-17 Heavy Airlift Infrastructure project will deliver the necessary permanent facilities and airfield infrastructure to support C-17 operations at its home base, RAAF Base Amberley, and expanded infrastructure at deployment bases RAAF Bases Edinburgh, Darwin, Pearce and Townsville to allow the large aircraft to operate effectively.