lib snouts in the trough

From ABC News website


Govt MPs failed to declare AWB shares
The Federal Government is facing claims six senior Coalition MPs have failed to properly declare their AWB shares to Parliament's pecuniary interest register.

A report on Channel Nine's Sunday program names Foreign Minister Alexander Downer among the politicians.

He was a shareholder in Argo investments, which purchased AWB shares in 2001 on the day they were listed.

Mr Downer says he does not know what Argo invests in but he understands they have only held the shares for two weeks.

"To suggest that raises questions of my interests in AWB, that's pretty much the longest bow I've ever seen drawn," he said.

Community Services Minister John Cobb has admitted his wife holds an A-class share or voting right in AWB, which he has inadvertently omitted to declare.

He says he has written today to the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the record.

Labor foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd has told Channel Nine an explanation is needed.

"These are very important questions of conflict of interest," he said.

The Cole inquiry into AWB's involvement in the oil-for-food scandal is continuing