Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 13 December 2010:

With reference to AusAID and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI):

(1) Can the Minister confirm that Australia is a supporter of the EITI and provides funds to assist other countries to implement the EITI while not doing so itself.

(2) Can the Minister confirm the EITI would require all mining, oil and gas companies operating in Australia to publicly publish payments made to the Australian Government (and possibly state and territory governments) and in turn oblige the Government to publish what it receives.

(3) (a) Can an outline be provided of what funds AusAID has allocated to supporting the EITI and who receives those funds; and (b) does the funding include consideration for a secretariat.

(4) Is the Australian Government considering the implementation of an EITI; if not, why not.

(5) Who has responsibility for Australia becoming an implementing country.

(6) Is the department aware the United States of America (US) Financial Reform Act requires all oil, gas and mining companies registered on the US Securities Exchange to disclose all revenue payments made to all governments when the country is operating on a country-by-country basis; and (b) will the department consider progressing similar legislation in Australia noting that such an initiative contributes towards improving the transparency of extractive industries' payments and helps combat corruption; if not, why not.

(7) What is the Government's position regarding the promotion of improved transparency and anti-corruption mechanisms as a G-20 agenda.

(8) Will the Australian Government be promoting the EITI at the next G-20.