19 May 2010

VEIL OF SECRECY SHROUDS MRH-90

ADF HELICOPTER INCIDENT

Today’s reports that an Australian Defence Force (ADF) MRH-90 helicopter suffered a catastrophic engine failure comes 28 days after the incidentoccurred, again raising questions over whether or not the Rudd Labor Government was serious about increasing the openness and accountability of the ADF.

Bob Baldwin, Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence said that the Rudd Labor Government’s failure to release information about the incident proves that they are simply all talk and no action.

‘The fact is the entire MRH-90 fleet was grounded 28 days ago, yet it has only been in the last 24 hours that this information has been released,’Mr Baldwin said.

‘What’s worse is neither the Defence Minister, Senator Faulkner, the Defence Materiel Minister, Greg Combet, or Defence officials were willing to comment on the incident.’

Mr Baldwin said that this was just another example of the Rudd Labor Government saying one thing while doing the exact opposite.

‘During the 2010 ADM Defence Industry Congress held in February, Minister Combet proudly announced that he was implementing a series of initiatives to promote transparency and accountability,’ Mr Baldwin said.

‘But actions speak louder than words and this incident hasrevealed Minister Combet’s true policy, one of deliberate obfuscation, stonewalling and diversionary tactics designed to make it hard to apportion responsibility.’

On ABC’s AM Program this morning Mr Baldwin acknowledged that incidents do occur when new equipment is being tested and introduced into service, but said the real question in this instance was one of accountability.

‘It is simply inexcusable that Minister Combet, who has had 28 days to release this information, would not make himself available for comment after his own department published a short media release on the incident within the last 24 hours,’ Mr Baldwin said.

‘So much for openness and transparency.’

Media enquiries:Richard Briedis – 0401 056 054