Political correspondent Christian Kerr writes:

“John
Howard will offer the Turkish Government financial help and Australian
manpower to conserve Anzac Cove,” Nicolas Rothwell and Steve Lewis
wrote in The Australian
on Monday. “It is understood Mr Howard’s offer will include technical
expertise, personnel and financial resources, giving Australia a
greater involvement in preserving the site.”

Rothwell
and Lewis also talked about the controversial road development.
“Releasing correspondence at the weekend from ex-veterans affairs
minister Danna Vale to the Turkish Government, dated August 2004, Mr
Howard admitted construction in the area was discussed. But Mr Howard
said the Australian authorities did not know the extent of the work the
Turkish would then undertake. The letter requested improvements to the
Dawn Service site and flagged work on the road between Chunuk Bair and
the Kemalyeri Memorial…”

Stories are swirling around Canberra
that despite the prime minister’s comments, Australian money went to
the Anzac Cove road. And Crikey understands that Labor is on to it,
that a detailed Question on Notice to the PM has been lodged on the
matter. The problem is that a new Notice Paper won’t be published until
the House of Representatives sits again on 10 May. Keep an eye on this website
for more info.