House debates Questions without Notice
Oil for Food Program
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:00 pm
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade. I refer to the cable dated 10 April 2001 entitled ‘UN Iraq AWB Exports’, which was sent to the minister’s office from Bronte Moules, which referred to the existence of ‘hard evidence of kickbacks and contraventions of the sanctions regime’. When did the minister become aware of the contents of this cable?
Mark Vaile Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade
There have been a number of issues raised around a number of cables at that time and obviously referring to allegations that had been made, as has been clearly pointed out in this place, by competitors of Australian wheat growers. Quite clearly, the action that the government has taken and the action that DFAT has taken have clearly addressed the issues that have been raised.
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
On a point of order: I asked the minister when he saw it, Mr Speaker.
