TheVIP aircraft affair was an Australian political controversy relating to the use ofRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF)VIP aircraft by theHolt government and its predecessor theMenzies government. It occurred in the lead-up to the1967 Senate election.
In an attempt to avoid negative media coverage, Prime MinisterHarold Holt provided vague and inaccurate answers toparliamentary questions about the VIP fleet, notably denying the existence ofpassenger manifests which might confirm instances of misuse.[1] Air MinisterPeter Howson became aware of the inaccuracies and sought to protect Holt, but their statements were soon subjected to further scrutiny, leading to accusations that they had conspired tomislead parliament.[2] The situation came to a head in October 1967, when theopposition moved to call senior public servants before the Senate,[3] but was defused somewhat by the decision on the 25th of October ofJohn Gorton, theLeader of the Government in the Senate, totable the "missing" passenger manifests.[2]
The controversy weakened Holt's popularity and diminished the reputations of Holt and Howson within theLiberal Party.[4] However, its significance was lessened bythe drowning death of Holt in December 1967. Gorton's decisive action, although initially harmful to the government, boosted his standing among government senators and may have contributed tohis election as Holt's successor.[5]