Sydney
Australia’s trade minister said this week that he never saw any of the pile of diplomatic cables warning of corruption in his government’s dealings with Iraq. A government investigation has found evidence that the Australian Wheat Board paid $220 million in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein to secure grain contracts under the U.N. oil-for-food program. The investigation also turned up dozens of messages to the Trade Ministry from Australian and foreign diplomats alleging fraud in the program. But Trade Minister Mark Vaile testified that he did “not have a specific recollection” of any of the cables. Australia’s political opposition was furious. “If he had any self-respect, he would resign,” said Labor spokesman Kevin Rudd. “The negligence is so gross.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Quiz of The Week: 15 – 21 NovemberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
Can the UK do more on climate change?Today's Big Question Labour has shown leadership in the face of fraying international consensus, but must show the public their green mission is ‘a net benefit, not a net cost’
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will US Catholics rebel against the Pope?Podcast Plus what are the ethics of freezing your late partner?
