Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sport, Senator Fifield. In September, Minister Hunt's department said that FIFA and the Football Federation of Australia governance issues would influence his decision on an extra $4 million of funding promised for Australia's bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup. Media reports today say Minister Hunt last week told a women's football forum that FIFA intervention in those governance reforms would threaten that bid. Can the minister confirm that Minister Hunt has made it clear that FIFA intervention would jeopardise that $4 million of support?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government has provided FFA with funding of $1 million to undertake preparatory work to bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. The profile of women's sport, as we all know, is on the rise in Australia. The Australian women's national football team, the Matildas, are performing at a world-class level and have enjoyed recent success against some of the best teams in the world, both at home and abroad. Hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia in 2023 presents an opportunity to inspire young women—

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fifield, resume your seat. Senator Farrell, on a point of order?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister's well into his answer. My question was a very simple one regarding whether the minister has made it clear that FIFA intervention would jeopardise $4 million worth of support.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, your question had a substantial preamble, as well, and I think the minister is relevant to the material you raised during your question. He has one minute and 24 seconds to get through as much of it as he can. Senator Fifield.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While supportive of this initiative, the government is taking a prudent two-stage approach to investing in the development of the bid. As the Prime Minister announced in June this year, additional funding of $4 million may be made available if the government is satisfied that there are reasonable prospects of success and that FIFA's bidding process conforms to the highest standards of probity. The government is aware that the FFA and its key Australian stakeholders are reviewing the composition of its congress. We're also aware that FIFA, through its Member Associations Committee, has also made comment on the FFA's governance arrangements. These are matters for FFA, as the recognised national sporting organisation for football in this country, to resolve. The government will give consideration to a range of matters in determining its position to further support an Australian bid.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, a supplementary question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given reports that FIFA could exclude Peru from the 2018 World Cup because of its government's interference, why is Minister Hunt risking the Socceroos' participation in the World Cup by making threats of government interference?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have outlined the government's position.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, a final supplementary question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think there's a pattern of not answering questions, Mr President. Isn't the minister simply refusing the Football Federation's governance reforms as an excuse to pull $4 million of funding for women's sport in Australia?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take what Senator Farrell said there as a monologue and as an editorial.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.