Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
2:55 pm
My question is to the Minister for Sport, Senator Colbeck. Corrected evidence to Senate estimates has confirmed that, under the Community Sport Infrastructure grants program, the former minister, Senator McKenzie, personally approved funding for her own preferred projects that were not recommended by Sport Australia. How many and which grants did Senator McKenzie personally approve against the advice of her agency?
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
As I indicated to the chamber yesterday, every project that was approved by Minister McKenzie, under her then responsibilities as Minister for Sport, qualified under the guidelines of the program that was being run—every project.
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
But they weren't recommended.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
They weren't recommended; that's what the evidence said.
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
And as the delegate—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Very careful use of language—why are you ducking?
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
As the delegate responsible for approval of projects under that program, Minister McKenzie had the responsibility to approve every project that she approved. That was the role. As the minister with delegation to approve those projects, that was the role that she undertook, quite reasonably and quite rightly. It was Minister McKenzie's decision to approve the projects. That was her responsibility under the—
Scott Ryan President
Order! Senator Farrell, on a point of order. Senator Colbeck, please resume your seat.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
I've given the minister more than a minute to answer the question. We're talking about the grants that were not recommended by Sport Australia which the minister approved.
Scott Ryan President
You've highlighted that part of the question. As long as the minister is talking about the approval of projects, I am going to rule it directly relevant and remind senators of the opportunity to debate the merits of answers after question time.
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
It doesn't matter whether the opposition likes it or not, the responsibility for the approval of every project under the program was the responsibility of Minister McKenzie in her role at the time. That was her role and, as I have said a number of times today and yesterday, a minister has that responsibility, takes that responsibility, uses that responsibility when they sign off on contracts or projects under any program. As I've said before, every single project approved under that program met the guidelines for the program.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
2:58 pm
I do have a supplementary question. Senator McKenzie's office told the ABC it did not keep records of the program and referred those questions to Minister Colbeck's office, which then referred questions back to Senator McKenzie's office. When will the government come clean about how many millions of taxpayers' dollars Senator McKenzie gave to her preferred projects rather than those recommended by Sport Australia? (Time expired)
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
Thank you, Senator Farrell, for the question. Minister McKenzie used her responsibilities to approve projects that met the guidelines for the program. It's that simple. That was her responsibility. That was her delegation under the guidelines of the program, and therefore she approved each project that met the guidelines in accordance with her delegation. That was her responsibility, that was her role under the program and that's the role she undertook.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
2:59 pm
I do have a final supplementary question. Can the minister guarantee to the Senate that all recipients under the program were awarded funds in line with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines and what action, if any, has he taken to ensure this?
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
As I've said a number of times already, every project approved by Minister McKenzie under the guidelines for that program met the guidelines for the program. As the delegate for—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
A point of order of direct relevance. The question is not about program guidelines. It is about the broader procurement guidelines, which is a separate question. I'd ask that the minister return to that issue.
Scott Ryan President
You've reminded the minister of that question. He's been speaking for 17 seconds, and I'll give him an opportunity to continue.
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians
Minister McKenzie was the delegate to approve projects under the program. She expended her responsibilities to approve projects, under the program, as was her responsibility and as she was entitled to do as the delegate under the program.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
Yes, on a point of order. Senator McKenzie or Senator Colbeck have nothing to hide. Can they please answer the question directly?
Scott Ryan President
I can't instruct the minister how to answer the question. I'm listening carefully. Have you concluded? Senator Colbeck has concluded. Senator Cormann is seeking the call.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.