David Feeney (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Justice. Can the minister advise what the selection criteria were for the Safer Streets Program?

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Batman for that question. I am advised that he is the shadow minister for justice, although this is the first time, a year into government, that he has had the opportunity to ask me a question in relation to my portfolio. Sadly, the member's question, after waiting a year, is not a particularly good one. He has had a very big day today. He got up early and did the doors—he had a rather nervous and sweaty performance on the ABC—when he said that the eligibility criteria for the Safer Streets Program remains a secret. So keen are we to protect the eligibility criteria for the Safer Streets Program from public scrutiny that we have published them on the internet.

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Silence on my right! The member for Longman will desist.

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To assist the shadow minister, the internet is available on computers. I am very happy to table these criteria, although, had he cared to do a little bit of research, he would have found them at . I am happy to highlight some of the very important projects we have been spending the $50 million Safer Streets money on: $1 million for projects within the seat of Parramatta, almost $600,000 for projects in the seat of Brand, $400,000 for projects in the seat of Bruce, $300,000 for projects in the member for Perth's electorate and $255,000 for projects in the member for Adelaide's electorate. All of these projects have been funded in Labor seats and all our subject to the same specific selection criteria as set out in the publicly available program guidelines, including the level of need, the likely crime prevention benefits and the value for money of the project.

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston will desist.

Mr Danby interjecting—

And the member for Melbourne ports will desist.

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, the Auditor-General is having a look, as he is required to do, at the Safer Streets Program, but in a letter dated 26 August, he also advised me that he will be looking at crime prevention projects funded prior to the Abbott government coming to office. Indeed, he will be looking at projects funded from 2007 to 2013.

I welcome the first question from the shadow minister for justice. I only wish that it could have been better.