asio chief refuses to answer questions

The head of ASIO has refused to answer questions about the oil-for-food scandal at a Senate estimates committee this morning.

Last week, Federal Cabinet decided to direct public servants not to answer questions about the matters being investigated by Commissioner Terence Cole's inquiry.

But the Opposition says that direction is an abuse of the Senate and might be illegal.

This morning, Labor Senator Joe Ludwig challenged the director-general of ASIO, Paul O'Sullivan, to defy the Government direction and explain if the organisation had had any contact with foreign governments about the oil-for-food program.

"ASIO do have an Act, they have a statutory obligation - I was curious Mr Sullivan are you going to acquiesce to the Government's general direction or are you going to use your statutory office and answer the questions that have been directed to you," he said.

"It's an interesting point Mr Sullivan whether you going to cooperate with this committee or whether you going to cooperate with the Government."

Dave R.