Fed: Downer defends department over handling of AWB scandal=2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2006
Fed: Downer defends department over handling of AWB scandal=2

Senior counsel assisting the inquiry .. JOHN AGIUS SC .. put it to Mr DOWNER that it's
strange nobody at DFAT put all these things together and pressed AWB for a firm breakdown
of the wheat contract prices.

But the minister said he thought while DFAT had spoken to AWB about the allegations
.. they wouldn't have thrown a great deal of light on the question.

And he said DFAT had no legal right to examine AWB's files.

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KEYWORD: AWB DOWNER 2 SYDNEY

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