Dai Le (Fowler, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Federal grants are integral to every electorate's community groups. Recent media reports are that a staffer of the former member for Fowler had been given nearly $40,000 in three rounds of grants for an organisation based outside the electorate. Given that the staffer did not disclose a conflict of interest to the selection committee, local communities groups have now raised concerns. What steps will the government take to investigate the matter, to restore integrity and transparency in the grants process?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Barker will leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Barker then left the chamber.

I have made it crystal clear: that is not the time to interject—when ministers are on their feet, before they even start talking, including the Prime Minister. He has the call.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, the minister responsible and the government have made it very clear that we are making changes to the way that grants are given. Those opposite who were objecting just before should indicate that, when we announced our budget—which cut out a whole lot of the discretionary funds—they objected at that time. That's why we're putting integrity back into the system.

I was talking just yesterday about walking past North Sydney pool, walking Toto the dog, and there you've got a 'regional' pool! And it was justified—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's right! You can see where it is: it's right next to a pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Maybe someone from the bush might have a swim in there, once in a while! The sorts of program that they engaged in were just extraordinary, and the former government did not have enough transparency in the way that they conducted these programs.

We're making sure that we do, going forward, and that's why, as well, you won't see, from this government, the sort of disgraceful rorting of bushfire funds that occurred from the National Party.