Organs the priority for Premier’s private jet
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk had to catch a commercial flight to Mackay yesterday because the State Government plane was called out to more important business: retrieving organs.
It's not the first time the Queensland Government Airwing has travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand to collect organs from those on the donor list to save the lives of Queenslanders.
From their Brisbane Airport base they operate many flights a week flying the Premier, ministers and other government staff around the state. However a spokeswoman from the Premier's office said organs were always the priority.
"The priority purpose (for the plane) is organ retrieval and saving lives," she said.
She said the plane had made a number of trips to retrieve organs but due to the sensitivities surrounding organ donation, statistics about the process could not be revealed.
Although the plane was crucial for the Premier when visiting isolated parts of the country or when flight schedules are limited, she was able to book a seat on a commercial flight at late notice yesterday for the opening of the new Hay Point coal loading berth.
