Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Farrell, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) Senator McKenzie made a written submission to the Select Committee on Administration of Sports Grants on 29 April 2020,

  (ii) since that submission was received by the committee, further evidence and public statements have raised serious questions regarding matters central to the inquiry, including the involvement of the Prime Minister and his office,

  (iii) Senator McKenzie has been invited to appear before the committee several times but has declined to do so, and

  (iv) as the former Minister for Sport, Senator McKenzie has evidence essential to the committee’s inquiry into the administration and award of funding under the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program; and

(b) directs Senator McKenzie to appear in person before the committee, by no later than 12 February 2021, to answer questions.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes Senator Farrell's motion. There's not been an occasion where the Senate has ordered a senator who wasn't a minister, including opposition or crossbench senators, to appear before a committee. This motion would be an unprecedented deviation from the practice in this area. On this matter, Senator McKenzie has cooperated with the Senate select committee and followed the practice by voluntarily providing the committee with a comprehensive submission.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation have always ordered accountability, not witch-hunts, within this parliament, and we have demonstrated our support of a national ICAC.

Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Whish-Wilson!

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recognise this motion risks setting a precedent, but let it be understood that One Nation's support is not predicated on attacking backbenchers. This is about holding the minister at the time accountable for their actions while in high office. A director in the private sector cannot abdicate their responsibility by stepping down, and nor should a minister. Should motion No. 937 succeed today, it might encourage the Senate to look at debating this matter further to amend the standing orders.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens are supporting this incredibly important motion so that we can hear from former Minister McKenzie, now Senator McKenzie, and learn some more information about just what went on with these sports rorts. It was a completely corrupt use of government funds to be supporting their election in 2019. It is very clear from the evidence that's been presented to the sports rorts committee that there was collusion between Senator McKenzie in her office—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Davey, on a point of order?

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is: can we use the correct terminology? This was not sports rorts. It was a sports grants program.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Davey, that's not a point of order. I don't think senators would like me to get into restricting terminology of debate if it wasn't strictly unparliamentary.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was clear from the evidence that was presented to our committee—the hundreds of emails and the colour-coded spreadsheets that passed between former Minister McKenzie's office and the Prime Minister's office—that there was involvement right across the Liberal Party, right up to the level of the Prime Minister and including the Liberal Party campaign offices. It is critical that the Senate, through this committee, is able to hear from former Minister McKenzie—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Birmingham, on a point of order?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am mindful of your ruling before, but I do point out the conventions of the Senate that are again being abused by the Greens.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's no point of order, Senator Birmingham. I think the point has been made, and either the cross-whips can discuss it or one of the lucky 75 can actually start denying leave. Senator Rice, have you concluded?

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have concluded.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 937 be agreed to.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on a point of order: given the contribution made by Senator Rice, who is a member of the committee investigating the matters that she traversed, she has clearly already determined the matter. I'm wondering as to the appropriateness of that and whether she should now be disqualified from the committee, having predetermined the matter and having made the pronouncement that certain actions were corrupt. One would assume, therefore, that no more hearings are required, and the committee can be wrapped up.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order: the matter for determination of membership of committees is a matter for the Senate. I'm not aware of any issue in the standings orders with respect to that, Senator Abetz. I will check. It's not one that I'm familiar with that's been raised before. I'll come back to the chamber if appropriate.