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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm the government announced the $18 million Boosting Female Founders Initiative on 20 May 2018, re-announced it the next day on 21 November 2018 and re-announced it on 17 March 2020 but still hasn't provided a single cent in grants almost two years later—by 13 October this year?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Boosting Female Founders program sits as part of the Women's Economic Security Statement, the second of which was included in this year's budget. The Women's Economic Security Statement not only goes to the challenges of ensuring that we see more Australian women found their own businesses and move forward; it's also to ensure that more Australian women find their way into STEM skills and STEM occupations and start small businesses and pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions, as we see so many do under the policies of this government. That's why the Women's Economic Security Statement has been so important. It's addressed not only their superannuation and their future earnings and the choices they need there; it's also supporting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I recognise the voice of the member for Lyons. He is warned. It looked like he was about to walk, but he's okay. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?

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

Yes, Mr Speaker. We know about the announcement and reannouncements. The question went to whether a single dollar has been delivered under this program.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have to say to the Leader of the Opposition that obviously there was a preamble prior to the question that was asked. The Prime Minister's obviously able to give some context. He's only 50 seconds in. I'm listening to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd be happy to invite the minister for industry to add to my answer on this issue.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

I'll take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. The only person who needs help in this place is this guy over here. We saw that yesterday.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I'd just say to the Prime Minister—

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We saw that yesterday—what an embarrassing performance from the Leader of the Opposition yesterday.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, the Prime Minister will either—

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's not me saying it, Mr Speaker—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister does not have the call. The Prime Minister will resume his seat.

Mr Morrison interjecting—

Prime Minister, your microphone wasn't on, so I'm taking it that you—

Mr Morrison interjecting—

Well, if you want me to call the minister, I'll need to hear you.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll ask the minister to add to my answer.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much. The minister has call.

Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to answer this question and add to what the Prime Minister has already said. This was an announcement that was made in 2018 that the funding would flow in 2020-21. What we have said very clearly is that we were going to go through a process of consultation. This has been answered very comprehensively in Senate estimates this morning.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Will you just be quiet?

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

Will you just answer the question?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leader of the Opposition, the minister has the call.

Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was answered very extensively in Senate estimates this morning, when Senator Deb O'Neill sought to rely on a press release issued by me, where the bottom part, where it talked about when the funding was to be rolled out, was just not visible in what she was trying to rely on in Senate estimates. So she was prosecuting a myth. This funding is now in the process of being finalised, ready to be rolled out. There were 2,200 applicants for this funding. Our process has been very solid, very transparent, and it will deliver in the very near future.