Kevin Rudd's dining is very expensive

Kevin Rudd's high dining costing us thousands | National News | News.com.au

* Three-course meals on all VIP flights
* Even on a 30-min Sydney-Canberra shuttle
* Overhaul comes after PM's mid-air outburst

TAXPAYERS are forking out thousands of dollars to ensure Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is served a gourmet three-course meal on every RAAF VIP flight.

After an angry and hungry PM reduced a flight attendant to tears over food provisions, every RAAF flight must now carry a full in-flight meal service, including a hot dish, even on a 30-minute Sydney-to-Canberra shuttle.

The catering overhaul was introduced last month. But the cost of supplying food to the PM and other ministers who regularly fly on the VIP fleet has also significantly increased.

Defence, which operates the VIP fleet, overhauled the catering arrangements following Mr Rudd's outburst in January on a flight from Port Moresby to Canberra.

The incident, which led to the PM being dubbed "Kevin Rude", left a female RAAF cabin attendant in tears and forced Mr Rudd to issue a public apology.

Mr Rudd - who has a fondness for Vegemite on toast - has previously complained after being served sandwiches on Sydney to Canberra flights despite the plane spending barely 20 minutes in the air.
Related Coverage

* PM's flights of fancy foodAdelaide Now, 22 Apr 2009
* PM lashed over gourmet air mealsHerald Sun, 22 Apr 2009
* Travelling PM gets three-course feedDaily Telegraph, 22 Apr 2009
* High cost of gourmet RuddCourier Mail, 22 Apr 2009
* Plane truth about PMsAdelaide Now, 11 Apr 2009

Your Say

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A spokesman for the Prime Minister said last night there had been "modest changes" to catering on VIP flights.

"I think it is safe to assume that the likelihood of two consecutive Prime Ministers sharing the same taste in breakfast cereal is very, very low," he said.

Prior to the latest and most explosive meltdown, VIP flights under a certain number of hours were supplied only with snack food or sandwiches.

All catering on board the RAAF's two Boeing 737 business jets and three smaller Challenger 604 jets is handled by contractors and they have been told by Defence to provide a full service for all VIP flights.

"When the wheels go up there is always something on board to satisfy all requirements," a well-placed source said.

This has led to a significant increase in the amount of waste generated by the squadron. Uneaten meals must be disposed of to avoid possible health risks and very few VIP passengers can eat a three-course meal during a short trip from Canberra to Sydney.

Full crew manning had also been introduced back into 34 Squadron since March this year so there could be no excuses for poor service. That has also increased costs to taxpayers of the luxury VIP air service.

Defence refused to comment on the menu upgrade, and said it was "not appropriate" to discuss the level of service provided.

Mr Rudd's spokesman said the Prime Minister "appreciates the quality service provided by 34 Squadron to him and other Members of Parliament".

"As you would expect and is entirely appropriate the RAAF had put in place particular arrangements on board RAAF flights at the request of Mr Howard," the spokesman said last night.

"With the change of Government there have been some modest changes made to service arrangements on RAAF flights.

"No doubt the next Prime Minister and the one after that will put in place their own arrangements as well."

Priorities wrong, says Turnbull

However, it is unlikely to be the case for Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, who says the Prime Minister "has his priorities wrong" ordering gourmet meals.

Mr Turnbull said Australians were focused on jobs.

"They want to know what the Government is doing to promote jobs, they want to know why money isn't being better and more effectively spent,'' Mr Turnbull said.

"I think the Prime Minister's got his priorities wrong on the aeroplane as well as he has on the economy.''

The Daily Telegraph understands the decision to introduce a three-course meal standard was made without pressure from the Prime Minister or his office.