From The 7:30 Report, 8 September 2003

The reporter is Andrew Fowler:

ANDREW FOWLER: Again, Dr Batterham declined to directly answer. But
Roam Consulting said it had no idea why its name was associated with
the $10-a-tonne figure.

According to an answer to a parliamentary question on notice by Senator Brown, the supplier was Rio Tinto.If
there is a question of Rio Tinto’s ability to influence government
policy, it can only be made more pointed by the PM’s family connection.

Lyall Howard, John Howard’s nephew, is head of Rio Tinto’s government
relations – in other words, its chief lobbyist. Lyall Howard has been
hard at work for Rio Tinto since earlier this year. He declined to
comment about his potential to influence government policy.

IAN MCFARLANE: Can I assure you that Lyall Howard is someone who I have
a great deal of confidence in in terms of his operation. In no way does
he influence my decisions in terms of the particular issues that you
have raised already.