Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I note that the Senate has ordered three explanations this afternoon: firstly, from the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, relating to the Stronger Communities Program, on the motion of the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, Senator McKenzie; secondly, from the Minister representing Minister for the Arts, relating to Australian content quotas, on the motion of Senator Lambie; and, thirdly, from the Minister for the Environment and Water, relating to correspondence with Senators Hanson-Young and David Pocock on the government's nature-positive bills, on the motion of Senator Duniam. I will make each explanation in turn. Each senator can then move their own motion to take note as provided for in the Senate orders, so there will still be three separate debates.

I'll begin with the explanation from the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. The Stronger Communities Program provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for infrastructure projects that deliver social benefits for local communities. The Stronger Communities Program has committed funding to over 17,400 community based projects across Australia. Round 9 will open on 14 February 2025, with $22.65 million available to support infrastructure projects that provide social benefits for local communities across the country. MPs are currently undergoing consultation on their nominated projects, determining local priorities in partnership with local communities. Round 9 project activities must directly align with and give effect to at least one of the objectives of the program and be one or more of the listed activities within the grant opportunity guidelines.

Order for the production of documents No. 761 requested copies of documents provided to the minister by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts in regard to eligible activities under the Stronger Communities Program's round 9 guidelines 2025. The document identified as falling within the scope of this order refers to legal advice that is subject to legal professional privilege, which has not been waived by the Commonwealth. It is not in the public interest to depart from the longstanding practice of successive governments to not disclose privileged legal advice.

A broad number of organisations can apply for funding through the program, and that includes but is not limited to Men's Sheds, senior citizens clubs, scouts groups, surf lifesaving clubs, rural fire services and sporting clubs, as they are not-for-profit organisations. The lengthy list of projects might include upgrades to old, or installation of new, war memorials, signage and flags that commemorate Australians killed during Australia's war efforts; extensions to premises that support veterans; or the purchase of defibrillators or other first-aid equipment.

The Albanese government is committed to delivering for all Australians. For example, in the past 12 months alone, through a number of grants programs, we have funded $2 million to upgrade PCYC facilities in Cairns; $1.9 million for the Precinct 58 redevelopment of the Bundaberg and rural fire services; $2.7 million for the Southport Spit Emergency Services Hub; investment in the Men's Shed in Diamond Creek, Victoria; amenities upgrades at Middle Head Oval, in Mosman; $15 million for the Kwinana Recquatic Centre redevelopment; and $2 million for a facilities upgrade with new change rooms at the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby Union Football Club, in New South Wales.

I'll move on to the second explanation, from the Minister representing the Minister for the Arts, relating to Australian content quotas, on the motion of Senator Lambie. As you are all aware, through our national cultural policy, Revive, the Albanese Labor government have committed to introducing Australian screen content requirements on streaming platforms to ensure continued access to local stories and content. We have brilliant talent in Australia, and we want to make sure that people have access to Australian scripted drama and children's stories across different platforms. The document is undertaking a genuine and thorough consultation process that is taking the time to consider views to support ongoing investment in and production of Australian stories.

Development of this policy requires a productive working relationship between government and all stakeholders. The streaming companies provided commercially sensitive data in good faith and in confidence to assist the process. These companies had no obligation to provide any information to the government. They provided it on the understanding that it would not be released. Had they known it would be released, they would not have provided it. The government firmly rejects Senator Lambie's assertion that we have not complied with the previous order. The documents have already been provided to Senator Lambie, with appropriate redactions in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

The government also subsequently provided the documents to the Senate, with appropriate redactions under public interest immunity. The redactions made were in order to appropriately protect the commercially sensitive data and personal information of various stakeholders. It has been well accepted by the Senate that information which could damage the commercial interest of commercial traders in the marketplace is entitled to be protected by public interest immunity. The FOI Act also provides explicit ability to redact information which is obtained in confidence or which would disclose commercially valuable information.

Finally, in relation to the explanation from the Minister for the Environment and Water, relating to correspondence with Senator Hanson-Young and Senator David Pocock, this government takes its disclosure and transparency obligations seriously, and we comply with our obligations. The documents sought by this OPD were partially released under FOI decision reference 78919. Those documents had redactions applied as per the relevant provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. I will table those documents for the benefit of the chamber in the form they were made public.

I'm informed by the minister that there are unresolved questions relating to the release of the documents in the form requested by the OPD. I want to provide the chamber some context. This OPD is highly unusual, and senators should consider precisely what Senator Duniam is asking for. This OPD seeks to force the disclosure of correspondence between a member of the House and two non-government senators, correspondence that relates intimately to the performance of their parliamentary functions. Senators should reflect on the impact it would have on the ordinary operations of this place if OPDs of this nature became commonplace. This order traverses unfamiliar ground for this chamber and raises complex questions for the minister to answer in responding to this OPD. I'm advised that the minister is working to resolve these questions as quickly as possible. As flagged, I table the documents I've referred to that were partially released under FOI.