EXCLUSIVE

THERE is unlikely to be any inquiry into the MH370 plane search when it is completed later this year, even if nothing is found.

Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said he had no intention of requesting an inquiry examining how the $180 million search was carried out — despite international criticism of the expertise and equipment of contracted company Fugro.

Mr Chester said he shared families’ desire for answers in relation to the baffling disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines’ flight and its 239 passengers and crew on March 8, 2014.

And he was confident the search had been “conducted with the highest standards of Australian Public Service governance and probity”.

“There has been full transparency throughout the search process,” Minister Chester said.

“In addition to the evidence provided by senior ATSB staff responsible for the search at regular Senate Committee hearings, there have been regular audits conducted by independent auditors throughout the course of the program.”

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Among the search critics have been former French Naval Officer Paul-Henry Nargeolet who was hired to help find Air France flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean.

He said Fugro did not have the experience for such a specialised search, and Australian taxpayers should be “mad” to see their money spent like that.

US firm Williamson and Associates also raised concerns 100 per cent sea floor coverage was not being achieved by Fugro’s sonar equipment. The company was among those that unsuccessfully bid to carry out the MH370 search.

Mr Chester said all the sonar data gathered in the course of the 120,000 square kilometre search would be publicly released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A “comprehensive report” on all aspects of the search would also be made public when the operation ended in late December.

“This is in addition to the search area definition and debris analysis reports which have been released periodically throughout the search,” said Mr Chester.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said he was prepared to front a Senate Inquiry into the MH370 search, should one be held.

“We have nothing to hide and have kept families completely informed about every development, every step of the way,” said Commissioner Hood.

Last week, the ATSB revealed it was planning the next phase of the search based on revised drift modelling using replica flaperons in the Southern Indian Ocean.

It is hoped the modelling may provide the evidence needed to continue the search beyond the current priority zone.

Minister Chester said at this stage the plan was to suspend the search “pending any further credible evidence leading to the specific location of MH370”.

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