Cole Inquiry terms of reference amended (3)
The Federal Government has amended the Cole inquiry's terms of reference to confirm that it can investigate AWB's internal inquiry into its wheat sales to Iraq.
AWB counsel had argued on 8 March that investigating the company's response to the UN's Volcker report is outside Commissioner Cole's powers.
The amended terms of reference allow the Commissioner to consider the actions of companies and people in connection with any inquiry or investigation and their responses to any complaint or allegation.
Over the last week the Inquiry has heard evidence from Foreign Affairs staff about their role in obtaining UN approval for AWB's wheat contracts. There has been no suggestion so far that they were mislead by AWB, just that they acted as a "post box" and didn't check them.
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