Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Home Affairs) | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I am absolutely delighted to take a question on such important matters as our national security. The member has raised issues in relation to the Safer Communities Fund and the way that that grant funding is allocated. I can say that there have been a number of applications that have been made from communities right around Australia. In fact, since 2016, there has been more than $265 million invested into well over 600 projects to make sure that our communities remain safe.

As a government, we have always acted in the best interests of our communities. Clearly, in relation to grant funding—and I make this point very sincerely, and those opposite, I understand, have not been in government for quite some time and so maybe are not up to speed with what grant funding guidelines actually mean—it is very clear that grant funding guidelines in relation to the Safer Communities Fund were complied with.

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