John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I refer the member for Griffith to the statement made by the commissioner not long after the inquiry commenced in which he said that if he saw fit, because of evidence that came before him, to seek an extension of the terms of reference, he would do so. He also, in that same statement, made it perfectly clear that he could make findings of fact that were damaging to Commonwealth officers, including ministers. Any logical reading of those two statements would lead you to the conclusion that, if Commissioner Cole thought it necessary to seek an extension of terms of reference so that he could fully adjudicate on the behaviour of ministers, he would do so. It is ludicrous of the member for Griffith to maintain otherwise.

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