Mark Vaile (Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

He believes it is too early to reach any conclusions about wheat exporter AWB and its role in the Iraqi oil for food scandal. Mr Chance says it is best to wait until the inquiry has concluded before making a judgment—and it is. That is why the Labor Party demanded an inquiry. That is why you wanted an inquiry. That is why the government acted so quickly at the end of last year to establish an inquiry—so that there was an independent and transparent process being run to find out the facts and the details of what has happened as far as Australian domestic law is concerned in terms of the oil for food contract.

We all recall the debate that took place in late 2002 and early 2003 with regard to the coalition of the willing moving into Iraq. The Australian Labor Party opposed that move every inch of the way. We all know that if the Australian Labor Party had had their way Saddam Hussein would still be in power in Iraq, perpetrating the atrocities that he did during the 25 years of the operation of his murderous regime in Iraq. The Australian Labor Party wanted to keep him there. We should let the Cole commission of inquiry finish its work. (Time expired)

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