House debates Questions without Notice
Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:32 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister, who just told parliament that Senator McKenzie provided the advice on 4 April. Doesn't this directly contradict the Sport Australia evidence today in the Senate that this advice was provided at 8.46 am on the day the parliament called the election? Will the Prime Minister correct the mislead of this parliament?
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:33 pm
I don't accept the Leader of the Opposition's mischaracterisation of this at all. I hope the Leader of the Opposition was more truthful when he appeared as a witness at the criminal conspiracy trial—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
Yes, Mr Speaker, on direct relevance. The question is very precise and goes to the absolute obligation that every member of parliament has in this place and it is part of the Prime Minister's alleged own code. If he can't keep to the point on this—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has the call. I'm listening very closely.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I repeat what I said earlier: Sport Australia advised the committee this morning that they received a brief from Senator McKenzie that was dated 4 April 2019. That's what occurred.
Tony Smith Speaker
Is the Leader of the Opposition seeking to table a document?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I am, Mr Speaker: an answer—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
to a question on notice from the Senate that clearly indicates the document was given on 11 April 2019.
Tony Smith Speaker
No, the Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. As I ruled yesterday, I'm not going to table documents that are readily available, particularly the transcript of proceedings in both the Houses.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
They're not available—