point 2b. I agree with the incumbent that I will not communicate with the media in any way regarding ...
It's not the first time a Howard gag has been used.
AWB gag order
Reporter: Michael Brissenden
KERRY O'BRIEN: Today for the first time in memory, the Senate committee system felt the full force of the Government with a Senate majority prepared to defy tradition. Opposition senators expecting to have a crack at senior public servants who might shed further light on possible Government links to the AWB scandal were outraged when the Government's Senate leader Nick Minchin gagged public officials from answering any questions on it. The PM told Parliament Cabinet took the gag decision last Monday on the basis that the issue was before the Cole inquiry, and he again deflected Labor's insistent questioning on corruption in the UN's oil-for-food contracts. The Opposition says it's a cover-up. John Howard maintains his Government has nothing to hide. Political Editor Michael Brissenden reports.
