The Oppositions leader Kim Beazley says the Prime Minister should appear before the Cole inquiry in person.
The Prime Minister John Howard has agreed to provide a written statement to the Cole Commission, investigating kickbacks paid by AWB to the former Iraqi government.
Mr Howard says he will submit a statement to the inquiry tomorrow afternoon, and will appear before the commission in person if he is asked to do so.
But Mr Beazley says it is now time for Mr Howard to take responsibility for the issue.
He says, "The prime minister has got to do is to front the royal commission and through them explain to the young Australian men and women, who are laying their lives on the line in Iraq."
Mr Beazley says, "The Prime Minister's personal sloth and incompetence, has allowed a situation where Australia ended up funding Saddam Hussein."