5 June 1995

MR MICHAEL COSTELLO

I am appalled by the extraordinary allegations made under cover of parliamentary privilege today by the Liberal Member for Deakin, Mr Ken Aldred MP, against Mr Michael Costello, the Secretary of my Department.

I accept absolutely Mr Costello's statement to me that there is not a shred of truth to the allegations. Michael Costello is one of Australia's finest public servants, with an outstanding international reputation. I have the utmost confidence in him and have no intentions whatever of standing him down.

For his name to be traduced in this way - without any prior opportunity to challenge the allegations or set the record straight - represents the lowest form of political and human behaviour: a pattern of behaviour all too unhappily familiar from Mr Aldred, who has pursued conspiracy allegations in the past against a number of different people with a conspicuous lack of success.

Like Mr Costello - and Mr Mark Liebler, who has also been grossly and irresponsibly defamed - I welcome a full and rigorous examination of these matters by the Australian Federal Police, working with their international colleagues. I have no doubt that this inquiry will establish that the allegations are utterly without foundation; and as well also help to expose something of the motivations of those responsible for producing this material and putting it on the public record.

If Mr Aldred is confident that his allegations can be sustained, I invite him to take a 20-metre walk and make them outside his coward's refuge in the House of Representatives chamber.

If he will not, I invite Mr Howard to disassociate himself, comprehensively and unequivocally, from the behaviour of his parliamentary and party colleague.

CANBERRA