Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is important—because people are trying to misrepresent it—that I say a number of things on the record. It is true that I had a discussion with the department about the importance of interacting more with other departments of government. That is because we take the view that trade has implications beyond just trade negotiations, that we actually understand the economic dynamics of trade and the importance of having engagement across portfolios. That is a statement I have made on a number of occasions including in this House. I also believe it is important that within the department there is more interaction and engagement with the agencies of the department—with Austrade, AusAID and EFIC. What is not accurate is that I told departmental officials that I found out about the details of the Henry tax review and the changes to the timing of the CPRS legislation in newspapers. I did not say that to the media.

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