asked the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, in writing, on 18 August 2011:

Has the Minister or any staff of the Minister's office received a briefing, written or verbal, from the Minister's department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and/or consultants regarding the additional costs associated with expanding the Australia Network's coverage in to the Middle East and North Africa; if so, (a) on what date, (b) can the Minister indicate the nature of the concerns, and (c) what is the additional cost.