Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition always has been and always will be a strong supporter of cultural diversity in Australia and of our multicultural communities. At the same time the government is very committed to reviewing all spending, including the Building Multicultural Communities Grants Program. In light of the current state of the federal budget the government has decided to reduce the scope of this program.

Those organisations that applied for funding have now been contacted and informed of the status of their applications. The government will ensure that organisations that have already expended funds or entered into contracts will not be left out of pocket.

It was revealed at the recent Senate estimates hearings that the previous government had signed off on these grants on 5 August—and colleagues, I am sure, will be very well aware that that was after the last federal election was called. The grants were used to buy certain things, such as coffee machines, juke boxes and billiard tables. It was also revealed at Senate estimates that the program blew out by approximately $1.3 million.

It is prudent—and I know Senator Cormann will back me up on this—for any new government to review all grants spending, and community organisations inquiring about the current status of grants processes are being advised of these processes. There are 241 organisations that will still receive funding under stream 1; and, as at 21 February 2014, 11 organisations will still receive funding under stream 2 or combined stream 1 and stream 2 funding.

This government makes no apology for being wise and careful stewards of the taxpayer dollar. We also make no apology for looking very critically at decisions that were taken after the election was called. (Time expired)