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- Title
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Air Traffic Control Contract
- Database
Senate Hansard
- Date
17-12-1992
- Source
Senate
- Parl No.
36
- Electorate
QLD
- Interjector
The PRESIDENT
- Page
5336
- Party
LP
- Presenter
- Status
- Question No.
- Questioner
Senator MacGIBBON
- Responder
Senator COLLINS
- Speaker
- Stage
- Type
- Context
- System Id
chamber/hansards/1992-12-17/0101
Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
Table Of Contents

Previous Fragment Next Fragment
-
Hansard
- Start of Business
- PETITIONS
-
STATUTORY BODIES
- Membership
-
NOTICES OF MOTION
- Days and Hours of Sitting
- Dr Bob Brown
- Grain Production in South Australia
- Victoria: Schools
- Australian Broadcasting Authority
- Hospitals
- Regulations and Ordinances Committee
- Unemployment: Graduates
- Compulsory Unionism
- Days and Hours of Sitting
- Australian Institute of Criminology
- Government Documents
- Sex Discrimination
- Government Documents
- Mr Mordechai Vanunu
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
NOTICES OF MOTION
-
Standing Committee on Industry, Technology and Commerce
- Withdrawal
-
Standing Committee on Industry, Technology and Commerce
- TABLING OF DOCUMENTS
-
COMMITTEES
- Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
- BURMA
-
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (RESOLUTION OF BOYCOTTS) AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
COMMITTEES
- Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts
- SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT
- LEAVE OF ABSENCE
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
COMMITTEES
-
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
- Report
- Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs
-
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
- CUSTOMS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992 CUSTOMS LEGISLATION (ANTI-DUMPING AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 CUSTOMS TARIFF (ANTI-DUMPING) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992 CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992
- CORPORATE LAW REFORM BILL 1992
- SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY COLLECTION BILL 1992
-
MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST
- South Australian Liberal Party
- South Australia
- Toxic Chemicals
- Foreign Investment in Australia
- Public Service (Abolition of Compulsory Retirement Age) Amendment Bill 1992
- Food Labelling
-
Privatisation of Government Bodies
- Tasmanian Oyster Industry
- Mr Michael Pratt
- QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
-
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
-
FAI Insurance: Westpac Bank
(Senator COLSTON, Senator TATE) -
Racism
(Senator BOURNE, Senator TATE) -
Textiles Industry
(Senator LOOSLEY, Senator BUTTON) -
Air Traffic Control Contract
(Senator MacGIBBON, Senator COLLINS) -
Wages of Women
(Senator REYNOLDS, Senator COOK) -
Prime Minister: Companies
(Senator MICHAEL BAUME, Senator BUTTON) -
Sexual Harassment
(Senator WALSH, Senator TATE) -
Hospitals
(Senator PATTERSON, Senator TATE) -
Unemployment
(Senator LEES, Senator COOK) -
Wool Tax Rebate
(Senator BOSWELL, Senator COOK) -
Indonesia: Earthquake
(Senator HARRADINE, Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Defence
(Senator DURACK, Senator ROBERT RAY) -
Exports to China
(Senator FAULKNER, Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
(Senator HERRON) -
Motor Vehicle Industry Executives
(Senator MAGUIRE, Senator BUTTON) -
Tax on Services
(Senator BUTTON) -
Nuclear Reactors
(Senator BUTTON) -
Taxation Determinations
(Senator BUTTON) -
Pigs
(Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Ambassador to the OECD
(Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Public Service: Union Activities
(Senator COOK) -
Unemployment
(Senator COOK) -
Med-Network Systems Pty Ltd
(Senator TATE) - Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
-
FAI Insurance: Westpac Bank
-
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Procedural Text
- Motion of Precedence
- Motion of Censure
-
PETITIONS
- National Flag
- Procedural Text
-
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
- Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories: Grants
- SOMALIA
-
COMMITTEES
-
Superannuation
- Report: Government Response
- Reports: Government Responses
-
Superannuation
- NEW ZEALAND FINANCE AND EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE
-
GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
-
Australian Sports Drug Agency
- Annual Report
- Department of Tourism
- Tobacco Research and Development Council
- Australian Sports Drug Agency
-
Private Health Insurance Administration Council
- Report
-
Australian Sports Drug Agency
-
DOCUMENTS
-
Auditor-General's Reports 1992-93
- No. 17: Health Insurance Commission
- No. 18: Department of Social Security
- Report No. 19: Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
- Report No. 20: Department of Employment, Education and Training
- Report No. 21: Department of Employment, Education and Training
- Report No. 22: Department of Defence
-
Auditor-General's Reports 1992-93
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
COMMITTEES
- Privileges
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
COMMITTEES
-
Privileges
- 36th and 37th Reports
-
Privileges
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT (CAR PARKING) BILL 1992
- SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY COLLECTION BILL 1992
- MIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 4) 1992
- ADJOURNMENT
-
MIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 4) 1992
- Second Reading
-
In Committee
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator TEAGUE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator COULTER
- Senator TATE
- Senator COULTER
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TEAGUE
- Senator TATE
- Third Reading
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT (CAR PARKING) BILL 1992
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT BILL (No. 5) 1992
- CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
RURAL ADJUSTMENT BILL 1992 STATES GRANTS (RURAL ADJUSTMENT) AMENDMENT BILL 1992 FARM HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT BILL 1992 INCOME EQUALISATION DEPOSITS LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 1992
-
In Committee
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Third Reading
-
In Committee
- NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) BILL 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY ADMINISTRATION BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (COARSE GRAINS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (CATTLE TRANSACTION) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (MEAT CHICKEN) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (LAYING CHICKEN) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (DAIRY PRODUCE) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HONEY) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HONEY EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (OILSEEDS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (DRIED FRUITS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (WHEAT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (GRAIN LEGUMES) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (GAME ANIMALS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (AQUATIC ANIMAL EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORSE SLAUGHTER) LEVY BILL 1992
- Second Reading
- In Committee
- Third Reading
- AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS (ADMINISTRATION) BILL 1992 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYEES' REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- STATUTORY BODIES
- JOINT HOUSE DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC LIABILITY CLAIM
- ADJOURNMENT
- DOCUMENTS
-
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
-
Newstart Program
(Senator Reynolds, Senator Cook) -
Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories: Grants
(Senator Short, Senator Collins) -
Mr Brown: Ms Murray
(Senator Alston, Senator Cook) -
Piparwar Coal Project
(Senator Bourne, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Defence: Joint Facilities
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Robert Ray) -
Aborigines: Yarrabah and Palm Island
(Senator O'Chee, Senator Collins) -
Australian International Development Assistance Bureau
(Senator Brownhill, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Local Government Development Program
(Senator Brownhill, Senator Tate) -
Ms Coral Bayley-Jones
(Senator Tierney, Senator Cook) -
Sudan
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Racial Discrimination
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Genetically Acquired Abnormalities: Register
(Senator Campbell, Senator Tate) -
Wildlife Protection: Controlled Specimens
(Senator Bell, Senator Collins) -
Australian Film Industry
(Senator Calvert, Senator Collins) -
Artificial Limbs
(Senator Newman, Senator Tate) -
Industrial Relations: Conscientious Objection
(Senator O'Chee, Senator Cook) -
Taxation: CER Review
(Senator Watson, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Administrator
(Senator Tambling, Senator Collins) -
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Administrator
(Senator Tambling, Senator Collins) -
Anyinginyi Congress
(Senator Sowada, Senator Collins) -
Cyprus
(Senator Bourne, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Burma: Trade
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans)
-
Newstart Program
Content Window
Thursday, 17 December 1992
Page: 5336
Page: 5336
Senator MacGIBBON
—I direct my question to the Minister for Transport and Communications. I refer to the Minister's stubborn refusal to entertain the idea that allegations raised by parliamentarians from both sides of Parliament about the Civil Aviation Authority's TAAATS contract were accurate. These allegations have now been proved to be accurate by the Macphee report. I will not bore the Senate by going through all the Minister's quotations; they are best encapsulated by this remark:
A number of claims have been made about irregularities, some of them quite extraordinary and defamatory, in aspects of the process followed by the CAA in relation to this project. There is no evidence to support any of these claims.
Since the Minister has not resigned, when will he take the honourable course and resign?
Senator COLLINS
—As I advised the Senate yesterday when there was a debate on this matter, the processes to establish the independent inquiry that was in fact held were begun by me and would have been concluded by me had Senator Richardson's resignation not occurred and had I not moved out of the portfolio. That is a matter of record which can be confirmed, of course, by the two senior officers of my Department—the Secretary and the Associate Secretary—who conferred with me on this matter.
I had a very useful and, I found, productive hour or so—perhaps not quite an hour—with Mr Macphee today discussing that report. But the fact, although Senator MacGibbon would like to hide from it, is that the substantive number of allegations made by Senator MacGibbon were all rebutted by the Macphee report. To again put these claims in context—and I have great pleasure in highlighting this again—the most outrageous of these allegations made by Senator MacGibbon, with careless abandon, was that people had behaved corruptly. Those allegations included allegations about me.
My colleagues who were in here at the time will recall—and I see them nodding in assent—that those outrageous allegations that people were receiving kickbacks were made with careless abandon, not just for the reputation of the individuals involved but, more importantly, in my view, in absolutely careless abandon of the reputations of the reputable companies concerned which would have had to have been parties to such corrupt practices. I am delighted that Mr Macphee not only lay that outrageous allegation of Senator MacGibbon's to rest but also confirmed it in a very succinct way, I thought, in his interview on AM this morning.
Senator MacGIBBON
—Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I never at any stage accused people of corruption. I said I was hearing allegations of corruption and, for a limited intellect like that of Senator Collins's, I can understand that he cannot understand the difference. In light of his answer, how does he reconcile the finding of the report that the advice to the board by Mr Baldwin and Dr Edwards was fatally flawed, it was inadequately researched and tested and Hughes was not assessed fairly? That was the burden of the criticism from both sides of the Parliament. What is the Minister's answer to that?
Senator COLLINS
—The facts of the matter were—and I think they have been well laid out in the Macphee report—that these were two competent, reputable and technically proficient companies that entered into a very close contest. In fact, if Senator MacGibbon wants to refer to the actual points that were allocated to every single one of the criteria of both these companies, he will find out that in every single criteria they were literally one or two points apart in an overall score of 100. It was a tight contest.
On the crucial question of the complicated and technical issue of the number of lines of computer code that were contained in the flight data processing heart of that system, from personal experience as a non-expert—this is an area that causes everyone's eyes to glaze over if one is not a computer engineer—it was found that a risk did exist in the Hughes bid but that Dr Edwards had placed undue weight on that risk. For that, he stands criticised and it is now a matter for the board. As Mr Macphee confirmed again with me today, the primary responsibility, as the report lays out, is with those two named individuals in that report. It is now a matter, following the government investigation, for the board to determine what will happen with those individuals.
The PRESIDENT
—Order! The Minister's time has expired.