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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Gallagher. I refer to a report in the Australian Financial Review on 6 February 2023 which highlighted allegations of corruption, threats and intimidation on the part of decision-makers leading Aboriginal organisations incorporated under the C(ATSI) Act or registered as charities receiving millions of dollars of taxpayer funding to deliver Indigenous disability services. Is the minister aware that operators involved in these allegations are connected with multiple Indigenous organisations, sitting on boards or as part of senior management, with responsibility for millions of dollars of taxpayer funded grants and are allowed to continue to do so while being investigated by multiple government departments in relation to alleged fraud and misappropriation?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I might have to take the majority of that question on notice, Senator Hanson, because I'm not fully across it. I've got a number of briefs here that have been provided to me, but it might assist if I come back with a comprehensive answer for you because I haven't previously been briefed on this. I'll take your next question and see whether I can answer some of it through that.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, first supplementary question?

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

When was the minister first made aware of these allegations and the fact that whistleblowers who made them were being systematically victimised and threatened in an effort to silence them?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will have to take that on notice. That information isn't in the information I have before me, but I will endeavour to come back. I'm sorry I can't assist you further today, Senator Hanson, but I'll see if we can get you an answer as quickly as possible.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

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

To the best of my knowledge, the minister was made aware of this matter more than two years ago. What has the minister done to ensure that alleged perpetrators of misappropriation of Indigenous grants meant for vulnerable and disadvantaged Indigenous communities are identified, investigated and, if warranted, prosecuted in a timely and transparent manner?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Based on that time frame, it would have been a different minister, if a minister was made aware of that two years ago. I'll see what I can find from the point that Minister Burney took on the responsibilities just over a year ago, but I have no doubt that Minister Burney, once briefed on these concerns, would have taken action. I'll see what I can come back to the chamber with in terms of that information as soon as I can. My apologies that I'm not in a position to answer it today.