Max Bradford National Defence Spokesperson

4 October 2001

National exposes inquiry shortcomings

Cross examination by National in a parliamentary select committee today resulted in the Audit Office admitting that it would have extended its inquiry into the purchase of the Light Armoured Vehicles if it knew about the existence of an army campaign letter.

National released the Gordon document which outlined an army campaign to gain a bigger portion of defence funding in August. Today the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee questioned the Assistant-Auditor General about the LAV purchase inquiry.

"The committee heard that the Audit Office interviewed Lieutenant Colonel Gordon five times during its inquiry but during those interviews he didn't mention a campaign by the army to secure a bigger share of defence funding," National's Defence spokesperson Max Bradford said.

"It is clear that through no fault of its own, but possibly as a direct result of the conspiracy in the army, that the Audit Office was unable to do its job properly.

"We are now calling for the Auditor General to reopen his inquiry into the purchase of the LAV3s and the underlying reasons for the dysfunctionality within the Army.

"This week we've heard that army head Major General Dodson behaved inappropriately in ordering documents relevant to the inquiry to be destroyed.

"It's clear the truth to the army campaign cannot come out unless there is a full and open inquiry where witnesses can be called to give evidence under oath," Mr Bradford said.

Ends

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