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Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Page: 8258

F111 Aircraft

(Question No. 349)

Mr Robert asked the Minister for Defence Materiel, in writing, on 12 May 2011:

(1) In respect of all variants of F-111 aircraft, how many has the department decided to

(a) scrap, and

(b) preserve for historical purposes.

(2) Of those in part (1)(b), how many

(a) have been allocated to

(i) government museums, and

(ii) private and/or not-for-profit aeronautical heritage organisations,

(b) have not yet been allocated, and

(c) are to be held and maintained by the department for historical purposes.

(3) Has the department approached the United States Department of Defence about International Traffic in Arms Regulations regarding the disposal of Australian F-111 aircraft to non-government administered museums or heritage institutions; if not, why not.

(4) Where is asbestos located in each F-111 aircraft and in what quantities; and if the asbestos is not disturbed, does it need to be removed to render an F-111 aircraft safe for public display.

(5) What is the estimated cost per aircraft of removing

(a) all asbestos from a single F-111 aircraft; and

(b) such smaller amount as may allow an F-111 aircraft to be deemed safe for public display.

(6) What portion of asbestos

(a) was removed from the F-111 aircraft currently on display at Point Cook,

Victoria, and

(b) will be removed from F-111 aircraft planned for display at both RAAF Amberley and Edinburgh.

Mr Clare: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

Response to all:

Two at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook Victoria;

Two at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland; and

One at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

A number of other aircraft are currently being assessed to determine if they can be preserved by public or private museums for heritage purposes.

Providing aircraft to public or private museums requires two things: United States Government approval and finding a way to deal effectively with the asbestos on the aircraft.

The F-111s were produced in the United States and are subject to United States legislation. This requires the Australian Government to seek United States Government permission to transfer the aircraft to non-Government or non-Defence organisations. Based on previous experience this is difficult and takes some time.

I am advised by Defence that over 80 per cent of the aircraft's surface panels have the potential to contain asbestos

Defence is currently assessing how asbestos could be removed, remediated or safely contained, so that the aircraft could be safely displayed in public and private museums.