Steve Hutchins (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Can the minister confirm that AusAID took over an AWB Iraq contract on the eve of the invasion of Iraq because of AWB’s concern that they would be left stranded by the outbreak of war? Can the minister confirm that this meant that AusAID endeavoured to finalise internal distribution mechanisms to enable wheat to be delivered to meet urgent food aid requirements in Iraq? Can the minister advise what communications there were between AusAID officials and AWB’s sole agent and exclusive trucking company in Iraq, Alia? Did AusAID report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs or his office about either the pricing of the contract or Alia’s capacity to provide trucking services?