Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. With widely reported evidence of $15 billion of CFMEU corruption on Victoria's Big Build, the Commonwealth is providing $30 billion of funding towards Victoria's Big Build projects. When questioned at the finance and public administration committee, officials from the infrastructure and transport department said they would cooperate with the Victorian royal commission. Minister, will you commit that ministers in this government and Commonwealth agencies will cooperate with, if requested, and appear before the Victorian royal commission into CFMEU corruption on the Victoria's Big Build infrastructure projects?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to attempt an answer here, but I'm not sure how it relates to my role as the Minister for Finance. The senator's asking me around, essentially, a government position about engaging with a royal commission. As Senator McKenzie would presumably know, the minister for infrastructure is the responsible minister who manages the agreements between states and territories around the delivery of infrastructure projects. The Department of Finance has a broad remit and a wide range of responsibilities, but, when it comes to infrastructure, the minister for infrastructure is responsible for that.

I'm also not sure I'm in a position to answer what a royal commission might seek from the Commonwealth. These are matters that are usually then responded to by the Attorney-General not the Minister for Finance. I don't know how much more helpful I can be, because I don't think either of the elements of Senator McKenzie's questions relate to the portfolio matters which I am here to respond for. I can confirm that the minister for infrastructure has, in the federal financial agreement that is reached with the states and territories, sought transparency and accountability in relation to the Commonwealth dollars that are provided to states and territories and that delivery milestones in relation to those projects be provided to the Commonwealth, as you would expect in any provision of finances to a state or territory government.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, first supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): As raised last week, Geoffrey Watson told our Senate inquiry that no ministers or Commonwealth officials had approached him to discuss his evidence of up to $15 billion of economic corruption on Victoria's Big Build infrastructure projects. Given the Commonwealth is contributing $30 billion towards Victoria's Big Build projects and your portfolio responsibility is to ensure the prudent expenditure of Commonwealth taxpayer funds, what action have you taken as the responsible minister or have directed your department officials to undertake? (Time expired)

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order—President, with the supplementary question, I think the fact that the senator is asking the wrong minister has become patently clear. In fact, I have answered these questions before on behalf of the Prime Minister, referencing action that Minister King has taken. This is not a matter for the Minister for Finance. This is a matter that should either go to me for the Prime Minister or Senator McCarthy, who represents Minister King.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sure Senator McKenzie has heard that advice. Senator McKenzie, do you wish to redirect your question, or do you want me to call—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm pretty sure Senator Gallagher signs the cheques.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

That would mean that Senator Gallagher, as finance minister, has responsibility for the whole of government. That is not what the Westminster system does. We are all accountable in this chamber, where she's wonderful and outstanding. The Westminster system requires ministers to be accountable to the people through the parliament for matters within their responsibility. You are asking her a question that is not within her responsibility. I suggest you've been here sufficiently long, Senator, that you might ask the correct minister.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister Wong. Senator McKenzie has heard that advice. Indeed, in her first answer, Minister Gallagher explained the involvement of her role as Minister for Finance. Senator McKenzie does not wish to redirect her question, so I'll invite the minister to answer the question in her capacity as Minister for Finance.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

There isn't a government that's done more than this government to respond to the issues that have been raised, particularly around the CFMEU and the construction industry. Indeed, appointing an administrator, for a start, and all of the work that has gone in around that was not anything that those opposite did when they were in government. They didn't do a single thing to respond to it.

When it comes to what we have done—I think this is advice that you were given last week by Senator Wong—the infrastructure minister has written to state and territory ministers on multiple occasions, reinforcing their obligations under funding agreements to report instances of suspected criminal behaviour or corruption to the relevant regulator and the department. On top of that, we've taken concrete action to clean up the industry where the coalition and the ABCC had completely and totally failed.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, second supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

Victoria has 28 allegations of unlawful activity on the North East Link and 16 on the Suburban Rail Loop. What action have you taken to assure yourself that everything is being done to stop corruption on building sites and ensure federal funds are not being siphoned off to fund criminal gangs?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said in my previous answer, I've outlined what Minister King has done as the responsible minister.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously, all ministers, including myself, work with Minister King. There is no place for corruption or criminals in the delivery of any infrastructure project anywhere in the country. For the Commonwealth, we have sought those assurances from the states and territories that deliver on behalf of the Commonwealth or where we are a funding partner in a project that is delivered by the state and territory.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

There are responsibilities on the states and territories to respond to the Commonwealth, and that is the arrangement that Minister King has put in place.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I would just ask if Senator McKenzie could stop shouting.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there a point of order, Minister Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, a point of order on disorderly behaviour. Could the senator please stop shouting while the question is being answered.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

You would have heard I have attempted to ask Senator McKenzie to stop being disrespectful. I will demand that of you again, Senator McKenzie, as I did earlier in question time. If you can't remain silent and respectful in here, please leave the chamber.