Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler has had one of those enlightened moments. As I have previously informed the House, it was well worth doing, although the Treasury, as it has given evidence in relation to the matter, had serious disagreements with the way in which it was done. I think I would be correct in saying the UK treasury itself had some serious disagreements with the Stern inquiry. But that does not mean it was not worth doing; it most definitely was worth doing. The assessments that the Treasury have done in relation to that in fact profited from that. If somebody were to go on from that and say that the government has not done any work, they would be seriously wrong.

I cannot leave this question without observing that the member for Kingsford Smith called a press conference on this very issue today. After making a rather long introductory statement, he was asked this question:

Peter, you’re well known for your views on the US alliance. How do you feel about a new base in Western Australia near Geraldton?

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