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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the most recent financial report of the Environmental Defenders Office which outlines the $9 million in legal costs the organisation is required to pay following its failed attempt to halt the Santos Barossa Gas Project. Given it's reported that the repayment of the loan provided to the EDO from a mystery donor will be approximately $2.3 million each year and this happens to be the same amount that has been handed to the EDO by this government, does the minister think it an acceptable use of taxpayers' money to effectively pay for the penalty the EDO has itself incurred for their wrongful acts in trying to destroy vital Australian projects and the jobs they create?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

All Commonwealth funding agreements contain provisions requiring the funding to be spent for the purpose for which it is allocated. All payments are subject to satisfactory progress on the project and compliance by the grantee with obligations under the agreement. As the matter is before the court, I'm not in a position to comment further.

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

Senator Duniam, first supplementary?

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

Given that the same financial report states, 'A material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the EDO's ability to continue as a going concern,' and considering that it continues to destroy jobs, will the government now do the right thing and cease giving taxpayer money to this destructive organisation which is in financial peril because of its own recklessness?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to my original answer.

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

Senator Duniam, a second supplementary?

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

DUNIAM (—) (): I will give it a crack. Given the EDO is intent on destroying the jobs of hardworking Australians, why won't this government do the right thing and cease funding this discredited activist outfit?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, there are a range of assertions you make in there. I would make the point that the secretary of the department has reviewed a range of allegations with regard to EDO's conduct. I am advised that the results of that review are available on the department's website.