David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence
asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 August 2011:
When was the department first notified of the Government's intention to extend the existing Australia Network contract, while additional information is sought from tenderers.
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:
In the period since Senator Johnston submitted Question on Notice 942 on 18 August 2011, the Government terminated the Australia Network tender process and instituted an investigation by the Australian Federal Police due to leaks of confidential information. The Auditor-General has also decided to conduct a performance audit of the administration of the Australia Network tender processes. As the Questions on Notice go to matters being considered by the Australian Federal Police and Australian National Audit Office, it would not be appropriate to comment.