Senate debates Questions without Notice
Building Multicultural Communities Grants Program
Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party
2:52 pm
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. I refer the minister to his government's most recent Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, MYEFO. Can the minister confirm that the government has cut $11.5 million from the Building Multicultural Communities Grants Program because it was not a policy priority? Is the minister aware that the Greek Orthodox Community of Norwood is one of the organisations that has had its funding cut and now faces the prospect of footing the bill for community school computers purchased with the support of the program? Can the minister advise why the good work of this local community organisation is not a policy priority for the government?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
The coalition always has been and always will be a strong supporter of cultural diversity in Australia and of our multicultural communities. At the same time the government is very committed to reviewing all spending, including the Building Multicultural Communities Grants Program. In light of the current state of the federal budget the government has decided to reduce the scope of this program.
Those organisations that applied for funding have now been contacted and informed of the status of their applications. The government will ensure that organisations that have already expended funds or entered into contracts will not be left out of pocket.
It was revealed at the recent Senate estimates hearings that the previous government had signed off on these grants on 5 August—and colleagues, I am sure, will be very well aware that that was after the last federal election was called. The grants were used to buy certain things, such as coffee machines, juke boxes and billiard tables. It was also revealed at Senate estimates that the program blew out by approximately $1.3 million.
It is prudent—and I know Senator Cormann will back me up on this—for any new government to review all grants spending, and community organisations inquiring about the current status of grants processes are being advised of these processes. There are 241 organisations that will still receive funding under stream 1; and, as at 21 February 2014, 11 organisations will still receive funding under stream 2 or combined stream 1 and stream 2 funding.
This government makes no apology for being wise and careful stewards of the taxpayer dollar. We also make no apology for looking very critically at decisions that were taken after the election was called. (Time expired)
Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party
2:55 pm
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I draw the minister's attention to the Welcome Centre in Adelaide, an organisation that teaches English to new migrants and is facing a cut as a result of the government's decision. Is the minister aware that this service is now at risk due to the coalition's funding cuts? Is teaching English to migrants no longer a policy priority for the Abbott government?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
I think it was a very cynical thing that the previous government did by signing off on literally hundreds and hundreds of supposed grants after the election had been called—
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
Before the caretaker period!
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
While the caretaker period might formally start—
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Formally start?
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! Senator Fifield, resume your seat.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order on both sides! Senator Fifield is entitled to be heard in silence.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
While the caretaker period might formally start at the end of the day, it is very much within the spirit of the caretaker conventions that once an election has been called—
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I rise on a point of order on relevance. The specific question relates to issues around funding to the Welcome Centre in Adelaide and the teaching of English to migrants. The minister has 28 seconds.
John Hogg President
There is no point of order at this stage. The minister does have 28 seconds remaining to address the question.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
I am strongly of the view that the previous government was acting outside the spirit of the caretaker conventions as received in this country and that what they did in signing off on those particular supposed grants at that time was a cynical political exercise. They should apologise to those community organisations.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I again rise on a point of order on relevance. We now have very limited time left, but the minister should return to the specific question.
John Hogg President
I do draw the minister's attention to the question. You have six seconds remaining.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
I would recommend that organisations contact the Department of Social Services, and the process will be explained to them.
Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party
2:57 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given that this cut has put grants to 49 multicultural organisations in South Australia at risk, I ask the minister: why isn't it a priority for the coalition—
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
Where does the money come from?
Jan McLucas Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health
It's in the budget, Eric!
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! Wait a minute, Senator McEwan. Your own side are interjecting on your question and I cannot hear it.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
She doesn't get it: it's other people's money!
Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party
Thank you, Mr President. Given that this cut has put grants to 49 multicultural organisations in South Australia at risk, I ask the minister again: why isn't it a priority for the coalition to support organisations that support—
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
Time!
A government senator interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! I will not take that! You interrupted the questions before. I am giving the questioner the opportunity to ask the question.
Anne McEwen SA, Australian Labor Party
Thank you, Mr President. Why isn't it a priority for the coalition to support organisations that support our multicultural communities?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
2:59 pm
I, Minister Andrews and Senator Fierravanti-Wells—the three portfolio office holders in social services—all have a deep and profound commitment to our multicultural community. But we also have a deep and profound commitment to be good stewards of the taxpayers dollar, and we make no apology for recognising that if we make prudent decisions now—if we work towards retiring debt and putting the budget back into balance—we will be in a much better position to support organisations such as the ones the senator has referred to into the future. We are planning for the long term. That is what we are doing, and we make no apology at all.
I conclude on the fact that the time between when an election is called and when the formal caretaker provisions take effect is intended to ensure that the essential business of government can continue—that key decisions to that end can be made. It is not to be used for political purposes.