House debates

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Questions without Notice

Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program

2:20 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. Can the Prime Minister confirm that, contrary to his repeated statements that Senator McKenzie alone determined sports rorts funding on 4 April, at 12:35 on 11 April Senator McKenzie's office sent a list of projects to the Prime Minister's office with one project removed and nine new projects added and, minutes later, at 12:43 pm Senator McKenzie's office sent the final revised list of projects to Sport Australia?

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

As I've said before, I'm not responsible for the email service in the former minister's office. I refer the member to the evidence—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting

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

The Prime Minister will pause. Members will cease interjecting or they'll start—

Ms Plibersek interjecting

The member for Sydney will leave under 94(a). There's a certain irony in actually interjecting on me when I'm asking people to stop interjecting. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

I refer the member to the evidence by Mr Boyd that was provided regarding the issues that were just raised. It says of the changes made later that day, the 12:43 version, that none of them were evident as being the request of the Prime Minister's office rather than the minister's office.