House debates Questions without Notice

Community Grants

Wednesday, 28 October 2026 House of Representatives

Mary Aldred

Mary Aldred Monash, Liberal Party

2:31 pm

My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Last Thursday, the minister's own department confirmed to a Senate inquiry that Labor's $6 million grant to the Marrickville Golf Club was not to fix sewage flows. Then, on Sunday, the minister told Andrew Clennell on News24 that the $6 million grant was to fix sewage flows. Can the minister explain why her department said one thing to the Senate and she said something completely different to the Australian people?

Ms Catherine King

Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

2:32 pm

As I said multiple times during that interview, I would have to check exactly what was being delivered through that grant, if you had actually listened to the interview. I understand that the Prime Minister addressed this issue in question time yesterday, but, to repeat: when this funding commitment was made in April 2025, part of the commitment included sewerage works.

Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

The minister is answering the question directly. She was asked a very specific question by the member for Monash. She's giving exactly that answer, and I'd like the member for Monash to hear the answer. I can't hear the answer because of this commentary—not interjections, commentary—that is just continual. The member for Monash was given respect, and the same respect is going to be shown to this minister. The minister will continue, and I'd like her to be heard in silence.

Ms Catherine King

Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

As I said, when this funding commitment was made in April 2025, part of the commitment included sewerage works. In September 2025, the New South Wales government stepped in to fund the sewerage related aspects of the club, as they were pressing. Last week, the Inner West Council confirmed that they are currently finalising the design of the entire project, including improvements to the clubhouse, stormwater harvesting and a new toilet and landscaping. These works, delivered through the program, will be complementary to those funded by the New South Wales government. The decision brief for this project, which we've released for transparency, shows that funding for this project was assessed by my department against the criteria publicly available and found to have value for money. Unlike those opposite, we are delivering our election commitments in a transparent way and not allowing Pauline Hanson to stand up and award people cheques in Rockhampton.

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

Has the minister concluded? I remind the minister to use correct titles for people in both places.