Number 31/06

BHP Billiton CEO, Chip Goodyear, today acknowledged the release of Commissioner Cole’s report from the Australian Government’s Inquiry into the UN Oil-for-Food Program.

"In February, I committed to investigating all the facts and publicly releasing our findings from this review. Now that the Commission has released its report, we will analyse the contents and finalise our own report as soon as possible.

"Until we are able to complete a thorough review of the Commission’s findings, we will not be able to make any further comment," he said.

Mr Goodyear will host a media conference to summarise BHP Billiton's findings and answer questions in relation to the Commission’s report. Details for the media briefing will be issued as soon as practicable.

For further information please contact:

Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898  Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952  Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156  Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195  Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com