Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

As Senator Ludwig would know, AUSTRAC only looks at payments made within Australia and payments coming into Australia and out of Australia. If a payment is made overseas, AUSTRAC does not have the jurisdiction to bring that under its scrutiny. If Senator Ludwig is asking why AUSTRAC did not have those payments under its purview, that is the answer to that.

In relation to whether there has been any investigation of this matter, there is an inquiry, as Senator Minchin has pointed out, which is ongoing and it is inappropriate to comment on that. That is an inquiry to which I think all should pay respect and acknowledge that it is due process which is ongoing. I am not going to pre-empt its outcome in any way. In relation to the Cole inquiry, I respect that process, and we will be watching very closely the recommendations which come from that inquiry.