Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to the three previous questions asked of him by the Leader of the Opposition and his undertaking to consult his records. I also refer to the Austrade cable from Washington, dated 11 March 2000, entitled ‘Australian Wheat Board dealings with Iraq under the oil for food program’, released yesterday by the Cole inquiry. When did the minister first become aware of the contents of this cable? If the minister cannot answer the question now, will he consult the advisers in the chamber and provide an answer to this question, and the previous question, prior to the end of question time?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In calling the Deputy Prime Minister, the first part of the question is in order. He is not required to answer the second part of the question.

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With respect, on what standing order did you make that ruling in relation to the second part of the question?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The ruling is on the basis of what is in order with questions. I refer the member for Griffith to the relevant part of the standing orders.

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With respect, could you draw my attention to which element of the standing orders or the House of Representatives Practice you have drawn upon in ruling the second part of my question to the Deputy Prime Minister out of order.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Griffith. If he wants to discuss the House of Representatives Practice, he is very welcome to come around to my office afterwards. The second part of the question is out of order.

Mark Vaile (Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. The honourable member would be well aware of the addressees of the cable and that the cable contained information with regard to the general allegations about the AWB and contracts with Iraq. The cable also indicated: ‘The deputy managing director may see fit to advise the Minister for Trade.’

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When did you get the cable?

Mark Vaile (Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have checked my records following the tabling of this cable in the Cole inquiry, and I have checked with the then deputy managing director of Austrade. I do not have a record of any specific briefing he gave me; he does not have any record of any specific briefing he gave me. But the general issue that was being addressed and reported here was certainly known to the government at the time because DFAT were dealing with it. DFAT had taken advice. Information had come in from the mission in New York. They had sought responses from the AWB. This is all public knowledge in the public domain at the moment. DFAT were dealing with the issue in the broader public domain. They had sought advice from the AWB and ultimately they provided the information required to the UN, to the satisfaction of the UN.