Fed: Govt would widen Cole powers if asked: Costello

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2006
Fed: Govt would widen Cole powers if asked: Costello

CANBERRA, April 13 AAP - The federal government will grant any request by the head
of the AWB corruption probe to widen the inquiry's terms of reference, Treasurer Peter
Costello says.

Prime Minister John Howard is set to front the inquiry into kickbacks paid to Saddam
Hussein's regime by wheat exporter AWB at 10am (AEST) today.

Mr Howard was called as a witness after providing a statement earlier this week to
the Sydney-based inquiry headed by retired judge Terence Cole.

He said he was happy to face the inquiry into the illegal payments, which breached
United Nations sanctions and helped prop up the Iraqi government.

But critics say the inquiry's terms of reference should be widened to allow findings
to be made against the government.

Under the existing terms of reference set by the government, Mr Cole can make findings
about criminal activity against AWB and its executives but is limited to commenting only
on what the government knew about the kickbacks.

Mr Costello said the government would give Mr Cole any power he asked for to complete
his investigation.

"The government is being completely transparent - alone, alone of all the governments
around the world," he told ABC Radio.

"If Mr Cole believes there is some defect in his terms of reference and wants them
extended in any way whatsoever, then the government would agree to that."

AAP shh/sco/nf

KEYWORD: AWB COSTELLO

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