House debates Questions without Notice
Boosting Female Founders Initiative
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:54 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm the government announced the $18 million Boosting Female Founders Initiative on 20 May 2018, re-announced it the next day on 21 November 2018 and re-announced it on 17 March 2020 but still hasn't provided a single cent in grants almost two years later—by 13 October this year?
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Boosting Female Founders program sits as part of the Women's Economic Security Statement, the second of which was included in this year's budget. The Women's Economic Security Statement not only goes to the challenges of ensuring that we see more Australian women found their own businesses and move forward; it's also to ensure that more Australian women find their way into STEM skills and STEM occupations and start small businesses and pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions, as we see so many do under the policies of this government. That's why the Women's Economic Security Statement has been so important. It's addressed not only their superannuation and their future earnings and the choices they need there; it's also supporting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I recognise the voice of the member for Lyons. He is warned. It looked like he was about to walk, but he's okay. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Yes, Mr Speaker. We know about the announcement and reannouncements. The question went to whether a single dollar has been delivered under this program.
Tony Smith Speaker
I have to say to the Leader of the Opposition that obviously there was a preamble prior to the question that was asked. The Prime Minister's obviously able to give some context. He's only 50 seconds in. I'm listening to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has the call.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I'd be happy to invite the minister for industry to add to my answer on this issue.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
I'll take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. The only person who needs help in this place is this guy over here. We saw that yesterday.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We saw that yesterday—what an embarrassing performance from the Leader of the Opposition yesterday.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
That's not me saying it, Mr Speaker—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister does not have the call. The Prime Minister will resume his seat.
Mr Morrison interjecting—
Prime Minister, your microphone wasn't on, so I'm taking it that you—
Mr Morrison interjecting—
Well, if you want me to call the minister, I'll need to hear you.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I'll ask the minister to add to my answer.
Karen Andrews McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology
2:56 pm
I'm very happy to answer this question and add to what the Prime Minister has already said. This was an announcement that was made in 2018 that the funding would flow in 2020-21. What we have said very clearly is that we were going to go through a process of consultation. This has been answered very comprehensively in Senate estimates this morning.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
Will you just be quiet?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Will you just answer the question?
Karen Andrews McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology
It was answered very extensively in Senate estimates this morning, when Senator Deb O'Neill sought to rely on a press release issued by me, where the bottom part, where it talked about when the funding was to be rolled out, was just not visible in what she was trying to rely on in Senate estimates. So she was prosecuting a myth. This funding is now in the process of being finalised, ready to be rolled out. There were 2,200 applicants for this funding. Our process has been very solid, very transparent, and it will deliver in the very near future.