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Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Page: 2777

Australia Network

(Question No. 948)

Senator Johnston asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 August 2011:

Has the Minister or any of his ministerial staff and/or the department received correspondence from, or had discussions with, any of the interested parties involved in the tender process in relation to Australia Network since the Government's decision to seek further information; if so, when and which parties were involved, and what was the nature of the correspondence and/or discussions.

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

In the period since Senator Johnston submitted Question on Notice 948 on 18 August 2011, the Government terminated the Australia Network tender process and instituted an investigation by the Australian Federal Police due to leaks of confidential information. The Auditor-General has also decided to conduct a performance audit of the administration of the Australia Network tender processes. As the Questions on Notice go to matters being considered by the Australian Federal Police and Australian National Audit Office, it would not be appropriate to comment.