asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 August 2011:

Did the Minister or any of his ministerial staff receive a briefing, written or verbal, from the department regarding the tender panel's report and recommendation of a preferred tenderer in relation to the Australia Network tender:

(1)   If so: (a) when was the brief received by the Minister's office; (b) when was the brief sighted by the Minister; and (c) what type of ministerial action was requested by the department, and was it agreed to by the Minister.

(2)   If not, why not.