Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I do, and I will reiterate the advice that I received yesterday. The National Retail Association, as I noted yesterday, does donate to both sides of politics, but I did also note that there was the Bourke Street terror attack on 9 November. On 9 November 2018 one male attacker, whose name I won't mention, set his car on fire, stabbed three people and attacked police in Melbourne. Of those three stabbing victims, as we all know, one was a much-beloved Melbourne identity Sisto Malaspina, a retailer of the type of which the National Retail Association provides advocacy for.

Later the same month on 20 November, three men inspired by the Islamic State terror group were arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack in Melbourne. They had tried to source a semiautomatic rifle to kill as many people as possible in a crowded space—police will allege. The National Retail Association applied for funding for a protecting crowded places project to assist retailers to deter, detect, delay and respond to a terrorist attack. Noting the significant events affecting the public and retailers over the month of November 2018, the Minister for Home Affairs' office asked the Department of Home Affairs to consider this proposal. He also asked the Department of Finance to cost it to ensure it was suitable and it was value for money. The proposal was subsequently assessed and recommended to be funded as it represented value for money and a proper use of Commonwealth resources, consistent with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.