House debates

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Questions without Notice

Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program

2:38 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is again to the Prime Minister. Given that the Audit Office and Sport Australia have both confirmed that the sports rorts projects were approved on 11 April, the day the election was called, why was the brief approving the projects backdated by the government by a week to 4 April? Didn't the government know the decision was dodgy and wasn't it trying to cover its tracks?

2:39 pm

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition is being untruthful. He's being completely untruthful. The brief from Senator McKenzie that actually gives the authority for the approval of these projects, Sport Australia confirmed was dated 4 April 2019. That's when the authority was created.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will just pause for a second. He has concluded his answer.