Australian oil-for-food inquiry extended

CANBERRA - The Australian government has extended an inquiry into whether monopoly wheat exporter AWB Ltd. paid millions of dollars in kickbacks to Iraq, giving it an extra three months to take evidence.

The inquiry is examining whether the AWB broke any Australian laws over alleged payments of up to $222 million ($255 million) in kickbacks to the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein under the UN oil-for-food programme.

The inquiry was due to end by March 31, but Attorney-General Philip Ruddock on Friday said commissioner Terence Cole would now have until June 30 to complete his inquiry.

"The terms of reference have been amended in accordance with Mr Cole's request that he be given until the end of June to deliver his report," Ruddock said in a statement.

He said the government would also clarify Cole's terms of reference to avoid uncertainty about the scope of the inquiry, in line with a request from Cole on Thursday.

- REUTERS