Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. On 9 April, the Prime Minister and Minister Frydenberg attended a private meeting with the chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Dr John Schubert, and offered a $444 million grant without any tender or grant application process. There were no public servants present. The foundation's managing director said the Prime Minister's offer was 'a complete surprise' and was 'like winning the Lotto'. Did the proposal to grant the Great Barrier Reef Foundation nearly half a billion dollars originate with the minister for the environment or with the Prime Minister or with some other person?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As these things usually go, this proposal originated with the minister for the environment. It was a new policy proposal put forward by the minister for the environment. It is a policy which supports the future health of the Great Barrier Reef, which Senator Keneally voted in favour of. This is a very important initiative which has gone through all of the appropriate processes of government, and we are very grateful for Senator Keneally's support.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a supplementary question.

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What due diligence did the government undertake on the Great Barrier Reef Foundation prior to 9 April? Can the minister assure the Senate that this private foundation was contacted by the government, as part of this due diligence, prior to 9 April?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This whole process started some time ago. It started with high-level briefings from the Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, and other eminent scientists. It involved Minister Frydenberg writing to the Prime Minister seeking authority to bring forward relevant proposals and it builds on—

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're going to blame Ian Chubb, are you?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! Senator Wong's on her feet. Senator Wong, on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On direct relevance. The important date is 9 April. Senator Keneally's question goes to what due diligence the government engaged in prior to 9 April.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, you've reminded the minister of the question. I note he has 35 seconds remaining to answer.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The decision to provide the grant to the foundation followed a thorough policy development process, including cabinet consideration. It was part of our considered response to the widespread coral bleaching on the reef over 2016 and 2017. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is an organisation that had been given the tick of approval previously by the then Labor minister for the environment, Tony Burke, and, as I've indicated, Senator Keneally voted in favour of the grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation on this occasion.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a final supplementary question.

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has claimed to the ABC that information was sought from the private foundation in March, prior to its meeting with the Prime Minister. This morning the private foundation's managing director, Anna Marsden, said that neither she nor anyone else in the foundation was contacted or aware of any due diligence prior to 9 April. Who is telling the truth: the government or the private foundation?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously, I don't get involved in matters at that level of detail.

Senator Cameron interjecting—

Well, Senator Cameron, you got involved: you voted in favour of the grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. What I will say is that I will take on notice the specifics that Senator Keneally has asked about and I will get back to the senator in due course.