Asked if it was impossible for all ministers to use one jet, Bowen said one plane would not have fitted in all the staff who attended the press conference.

“As you can imagine, a prime ministerial visit, two cabinet ministers, we limited the number of staff and, even then, the air force advice was [two jets] was the most efficient way of getting us there,” Bowen said.

Media advisers, staffers and office photographers were present for the launch. It is not known how many were on the planes.

The Albanese government has previously had to defend its use of RAAF jets, as, in August last year, Defence Minister Richard Marles controversially refused to reveal his flights on the VIP aircraft, which were reported at the time to have cost more than $3.6 million.