Ross Lightfoot did not carry cash into Iraq

Daily Telegraph

Minister excuses Lightfoot


March 17, 2005

WEST Australian senator Ross Lightfoot did not carry cash into Iraq or conduct business and could be excused for accepting a gun, Defence Minister Robert Hill told Parliament today.
Labor today quizzed government ministers during Question Time in the Senate about reports that Senator Lightfoot took $25,000 into Iraq, carried a gun while he was there and lobbied on behalf of an oil company.
News Limited is standing by reports in its newspapers. A spokeswoman for News, the parent company of the publisher of this website, today said the group stood by its reports that Senator Lightfoot gave the money to the Kurdish Regional Government in January.

Opposition Senate leader Chris Evans today asked Senator Hill whether Senator Lightfoot had been authorised to carry a gun in Iraq.
Senator Hill said many Iraqis carried weapons and he was not surprised at Senator Lightfoot's action.

"In relation to the Iraqi laws in respect of carrying weapons I'm not sure - that would require some research," he said.
"But it is a dangerous environment and I'm not surprised that some people look to protection in the form of firearms."
Senator Hill said he did not believe Australian troops provided Senator Lightfoot with any protection.

He said Senator Lightfoot did not conduct business, which is contrary to the rules of parliamentary study tours, during his visit in January.
"If Senator Evans is suggesting that promoting the interests of Australian companies is in some way carrying out business then it's a new definition I would think," he said.

He said Senator Lightfoot had assured him he did not carry cash into Iraq.
Special Minister of State Eric Abetz told Parliament he was notified of the trip and a report was provided by Senator Lightfoot.
But Senator Abetz said he did not read the travel report.
"Reports are deposited with me for future access by members of parliament and I can assure this place that I don't read those to mark them and give them nine out of 10 or one out of 10," he said.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison said he could understand why someone might carry a firearm for personal protection in Iraq.
"The question of firearms laws in another country are for that country and not Australia," he said.
"I don't know what the laws are in Iraq. There is nothing unlawful at Australian law in relation to the situation with the firearm as I understand it. Australian laws have no application in Iraq."