Official investigation into deal to fly Australian troops

Multiple official investigations have been launched into Defence Department contracts to fly Australian troops to the Middle East that have cost taxpayers more than $100 million. The Inspector-General of Defence is investigating why two officers from an Australian Defence Force unit overseeing a 2005 tender process for the flights, David Charlton and John Davies, gave inside information to the winning company, which soon after employed them.

In addition, Defence Department secretary Ian Watt has asked an accounting firm to conduct a 'full probity investigation' of this year's tender process for the Middle East troop and equipment flights contract, following further allegations of information being leaked to the winning firm. The 2010 tender also involves Mr Charlton, who was back working inside Defence's Joint Movements Group following the $93 million collapse of his private airline last year. Mr Charlton has also been working as a consultant for 2010 contract winner Adagold Aviation.

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