Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

What I was saying was that, while it might be expedient now for the Labor Party to be suggesting that somehow or other this government knew, clearly in the circumstances we have got an inquiry to look at all of the facts and circumstances. This is the most transparent inquiry there has been because the inquiry has all of the documents relating to AWB, it has all of the documents that relate to DFAT or to any government department, and the Cole inquiry has in fact said that they have that. They are entitled to call witnesses. Lest there be any doubt, this is what Mr Cole said last Friday when he looked at the terms of reference to indicate if he was appropriate. He said—and it is a statement by the commissioner:

The terms of reference require and permit me to consider whether any decision, action, conduct, payment or writing of any of the three Australian companies mentioned in the final report—

and he refers to the Volcker inquiry—

might have constituted a breach of any law of the Commonwealth, state or territory—

in fact, that relates to the three companies. But he goes on to say— (Time expired)