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

Yesterday, Senator Siewert wanted to know the OECD number of the development assistance code under which the $937,000 payment by AusAID to Mr Trevor Flugge was made. The answer is: agricultural development subcode 31120. I also said that I would check my answer in relation to Mr Downer having signed off on the $100 million AusAID package for Iraq. I said I assumed he had, which is correct. It was to cover two shipments of wheat and included $45 million for handling and distribution costs as the delegate under the Financial Management and Accountability Act. The minister adds that appropriate risk management procedures were taken in relation to the two wheat shipments and milling, bagging and distribution to be undertaken by the World Food Program. However, Mr Downer reminds the senator that with the reinstatement of the oil for food program, the two wheat shipments reverted to the United Nations and Australian aid moneys were not required for these purposes.