Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Chisholm for that question. I don't make decisions on who announces government grants. Let me say that the Australian government, of course, provides funding and supports the development of important community infrastructure projects all around Australia. Community development grants are provided to projects based on their merit. The projects that Senator Chisholm is no doubt asking questions about are projects in Ipswich and Townsville, which are high-quality community projects that enjoy broad community and cross-party support. In fact, I believe that the local Labor member of parliament supports the Ipswich project in particular. The decision to allocate the funding was a decision of the federal Liberal-National coalition government, having received the relevant application. As is the case for many local community projects across Australia, a number of local and federal representatives made representations in support of these projects. Every individual senator, every individual member of parliament will look at opportunities to maximise political capital for themselves. I don't think that is anything that is partial to—

Senator Wong interjecting—

I hear Senator Wong interjecting. I have had cause, in recent times, to have a look at the history of the advance to the finance minister as it was used by my predecessor. Guess what I found? I found a grant to Mr Wilkie's electorate of Denison of $4 million for a—