With reference to the loan of $35 million to establish the Rio Tinto Foundation for a Sustainable Minerals Industry:

(1) (a) What was the process which resulted in the approval of the loan, including application, assessment and decision; (b) when and how were each of these steps taken; (c) who was involved at each stage; (d) who initiated the process; (e) who approved the loan; and (f) to whom has the loan been made.

(2) Was anybody other than Rio Tinto able to apply for the loan.

(3) (a) What similar loans or grants for research and development has the Government made in the past 5 years; and (b) to whom, when, and through what process.

(4) (a) Can the foundation determine its own research priorities; and (b) is it required to consult with, or obtain approval from, the Government for research projects.

(5) Are the research projects specified in the answer to question on notice no. 1077 (Senate Hansard, 5 February 2003, p. 8684) indicative or required as part of the conditions of the loan.

(6) Who owns the rights to intellectual property created by the foundation.

(7) Is the Government entitled to any commercial return from the foundation.

(8) (a) What is the structure and governance of the foundation; and (b) who owns it.

(1) to (8) I understand the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources has provided answers to the honourable Senator's question in his response to Parliamentary Question No. 1332.