Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 September:

With reference to dealings from 1999 onwards with representatives of Aurora Gold concerning its Mt Muro mine in Kalimantan, Indonesia:

(1)  In the light of demonstrations that occurred in the forecourt of the Australian Embassy in March 2000, and the persistent claims of non-government organisations: Were Australian embassy officials aware of the widespread speculation over the past decade that major resource projects in Indonesia, including those owned by Australian companies, made payments to the Indonesian military and paramilitary police for the security forces located near their projects.

(2)  Did Australian Embassy officials inquire as to whether Aurora Gold had ever been approached by the security forces, whether police or military, to make donations or pay for any costs associated with operating near the mine; if not, why not.

(3)  Did Australian Embassy officials ask representatives of Aurora Gold if any such payments had been made; if so, what was the response; if not, why not.

(4)  If any such payments were made: (a) when did these occur; and (b) what advice, if any, did Embassy officials offer to company representatives.

Senator Hill —The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Australian Government expects Australian companies operating overseas to abide by the laws and regulations of the country in which they operate. To discover and provide further details required for this question on notice would require significant departmental resources, which I am not prepared to authorise.