House debates Questions without Notice

Mr Trevor Flugge

Thursday, 2 March 2006 House of Representatives

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security

2:49 pm

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Can the minister confirm whether or not the $1 million contract of Mr Trevor Flugge, paid for out of the Australian aid budget, was taxable?

Alexander Downer

Alexander Downer Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am afraid I am not the minister responsible for taxation but I would expect Mr Flugge and the other—what would it be?—12 million or so Australian taxpayers to fulfil all of their obligations under the tax act. People are paid by the Australian government in accordance with the laws of the land.