Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. In her last answer, the minister said that she is looking into the matter of $670,000 being promised to the Taha association. When was she made aware of this issue and when did she start 'looking into it'?

Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for International Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. I refer to my previous answer, but I do want to reiterate something. I want to reiterate the fact that, like all governments, we do give grants to community organisations, whether they be religious organisations, mosques, temples or sporting groups. But we take very seriously our expectation that the activities of those organisations and the activities of those groups are conducted within the rule of law and within the expectations of taxpayers and the standards that taxpayers expect. In relation to the question and the specific issue that I know the member was standing up to interject on, I was made aware of this in the last 24 hours, I might say.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! Members on my left, the minister is answering the question directly.

Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for International Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Having been made aware that there was an election commitment made to said group, I have now instigated with the department to halt any further actions on meeting the grant or continuing the funding process.