House debates

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Questions without Notice

Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program

2:35 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is again to the Prime Minister. How can the Prime Minister possibly claim that his office was only passing on information when the Audit Office found that there were emails between his office and Senator McKenzie's office on both 10 and 11 April—and I quote the Audit Office—'sorting out what the final lists of approved projects would look like'?

2:36 pm

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I simply say what I've said consistently on this matter: my office provided information based on the representations made to us, including information about other funding options or programs relevant to project proposals. That's exactly what we've done. I've been very consistent in these representations. The Leader of the Opposition can be wishing and hoping it was something different to that, but he's wrong.

Mr Watts interjecting

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Gellibrand will withdraw an unparliamentary statement he made. You need to refer to members by their correct titles.

Photo of Tim WattsTim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications) Share this | | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I think you were about to leave. You anticipated my next ruling, so we can do that now, too.

The member for Gellibrand then left the chamber.