The PNG Troop Carrier ambulances were refurbished in Darwin by St John Northern Territory (NT), and were designed to operate in remote areas and drive over rough terrain.
Pip Spence is currently the deputy secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development and will start her new role in the coming weeks for a period of up to five years.
Trade Minister Dan Tehan said the remaining 200,000 flights would “go like hot cakes” and argued every dollar spent on them is generating ten times more for the wider tourism industry.
The organisation has said a final decision on moving the roles won’t be made until June, and would then take two years to implement.
In a statement, the State Department said it was vital to the national interest to “assist our ally in developing and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability”.
A single RAAF F-35A Lightning II flew over Canberra at midday on Sunday as part of the ANZAC Day National Service.