Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister currently representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Sky News has reported that Liberal members of parliament were concerned they wouldn't get all the money they wanted from the government's corrupt sports rorts program, and the federal Liberal Party director assured him he would get onto it. What role did the federal Liberal Party play in the awarding of grants under the corrupt sports rorts program?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Green for that question. I completely reject the premise of the question. The sports grants program is a very popular and highly successful program where there was more demand than available resources. Minister McKenzie, in reviewing the recommendations made by Sport Australia, made sure that electorates represented by the Labor Party received a fair share of the grants that were available. If Minister McKenzie had not employed her discretion and made judgements, the allocation of funding would have been more inappropriate. I think that is a matter of public record; I have said that on a number of occasions now. I have not personally been involved in the decisions in relation to those projects. Obviously, and appropriately, that was a matter for the minister for sports. That is really all there is to it.

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

Senator Green, a supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. In relation to the Prime Minister's Office and the sports grants program, one government MP said: 'Quite obviously his office and the party directors like Hirsty would have been across trying to work out who gets what.' Why was Mr Hirst involved?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not aware that Mr Hirst was involved. I am not in the habit of commenting on anonymous quotes—if indeed it is an accurate quote. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has been very clear on the public record in relation to his involvement and the involvement of his office. I have also made clear statements in relation to these matters, and I refer you to those previous statements.

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

Senator Green, a final supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Which member of the Prime Minister's office discussed the awarding of grants under the Community Sport Infrastructure program with the federal director of the Liberal Party?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't accept the premise of the question. The Prime Minister has been very clear on the involvement that his office has had in relation to these matters, and that was one of advocacy on behalf of members that approached—

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

Order! 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

Direct relevance: the question is which member of the staff?

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

With respect, the minister was being directly relevant. He's allowed to challenge an assumption or assertion in the question.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The involvement of the Prime Minister's office has been well documented. The Prime Minister's office, consistent with prime ministers' offices time immemorial, made representations on behalf of members of parliament, and that is entirely appropriate.