This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/feb/27/coalition-labor-morrison-sports-rorts-inquiry-labor-politics-live

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sports rorts back in the spotlight after PM drawn further into controversy – politics live Sports rorts back in the spotlight after PM drawn further into controversy – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Sport Australia will front the Senate inquiry as the government maintains it did nothing wrong with its sports grant program. All the day’s events, liveSport Australia will front the Senate inquiry as the government maintains it did nothing wrong with its sports grant program. All the day’s events, live
Eric Abetzis probing how 272 projects were assessed as eligible by Sport Australia but then became ineligible by the time funding agreements were signed.
Luke McCann suggests that although eligibility criteria stated work must not have commenced, applicants were confused about the “interpretation of commencement”.
He suggested that if the audit office took a “very narrow interpretation” even seeking a development approval may result in a project being ineligible.
But McCann then conceded he didn’t know how the ANAO assessed 272 projects were ineligible (43%). Clubs were “explicitly advised” they should not commence work until an agreement was signed, and this was defined as “undertaking of any activities that contribute to physical upgrades ... this includes site clearing, earth works, building works, or any form of early works”.
This doesn’t sound like a DA would make a project ineligible. Nevertheless, Abetz summarises that this sounds like “technicalities at their absolute worst” being used to describe projects as ineligible.
There was an interesting short exchange in the hearing that reflects the different starting points of Sports Australia and the minister.
The Liberal senator Eric Abetz has been trying to set up an argument that Bridget McKenzie had discretion to approve these sports grants under criteria she considered important.
Abetz asked the Sports Australia chairman John Wylie whether he thought it would have been fair if 20% of electorates had missed out on money. Wylie said distribution of funds across electorates wasn’t a consideration for bureaucrats engaged in a merit selection process.
Considering what’s going to to particular electorates is “not our job”, Wylie notes
Then there was this gem from Richard Colbeck:
And the actual transcript from the committee hearing where the auditor general’s office DID correct Eric Abetz:
Eric Abetz: Thank you. I just wanted to clarify that. The next issue I seek to clarify: you found that no ineligible project or application was funded?
Brian Boyd:
Sport Australia has explained why Bridget McKenzie approved late applications for a number of projects, and for the most part it’s because they had won state government funding but needed federal funding as well.
Luke McCann explained:
Katanning Country club: the Western Australian state government indicated support if it received federal funding.
Westbury bowling club: the club was unable to utilise the green for six months of the year due to drainage, which was “not viable for club in a small town”. The club would close which would be “devastating on the community”.
Belgrave reserve netball: had grown exponentially and the minister believed the project was “vital to the continuation of the club”.
Yeppoon swans: had concrete cancer in their light poles, they needed to remove lights, and without a grant their fields would be unusable except in daylight.
Nagambie foreshore walk: the Victorian state government would contribute majority if federal government supported it.
Pennant Hills AFL: got $1m from NSW state government but the project wouldn’t proceed without federal government funding.
Eric Abetz is now asking questions.
It was the Liberal senator’s questioning at the last hearing which revealed that almost half of the projects funded by the program were ineligible under the rules, by the time the minister’s office granted funding.
Fantastic. Great move. Well done Eric.
Chair John Wylie says it’s the view of Sports Australia that Bridget McKenzie was the decision-maker, under the rules.
Of the 2,000 applications made, 1,300 clubs missed out.
John Wylie, chair of Sports Australia, said it showed “due stewardship” of the community sports infrastructure grant program by raising risks with the minister (Bridget McKenzie’s) office.John Wylie, chair of Sports Australia, said it showed “due stewardship” of the community sports infrastructure grant program by raising risks with the minister (Bridget McKenzie’s) office.
So far chief operating officer Luke McCann has given two instances of Sports Australia’s Robin O’Neil raising concerns:So far chief operating officer Luke McCann has given two instances of Sports Australia’s Robin O’Neil raising concerns:
First on 5 December, 2018 he “outlined risks with the methodology and process, in terms of the approval process”; First on 5 December 2018 he “outlined risks with the methodology and process, in terms of the approval process”;
And on 5 March 2019 he raised concerns that McKenzie’s office had asked for an application form after applications had closed.And on 5 March 2019 he raised concerns that McKenzie’s office had asked for an application form after applications had closed.
Rob Dalton, acting chief executive officer, says Sports Australia was “comfortable risks were managed because we communicated them”.Rob Dalton, acting chief executive officer, says Sports Australia was “comfortable risks were managed because we communicated them”.
Witnesses take on notice (1) if they can provide written minutes of its audit and risk committee and (2) whether the minister’s office responded to the above concerns.Witnesses take on notice (1) if they can provide written minutes of its audit and risk committee and (2) whether the minister’s office responded to the above concerns.
Everyone repeats that the minister is the decision-maker, it’s not Sports Australia’s job to monitor how decisions are made.Everyone repeats that the minister is the decision-maker, it’s not Sports Australia’s job to monitor how decisions are made.
Speaking of the ABC, Lucy Barbour, a very excellent regional and rural affair reporter with the broadcaster, had a story this morning with Pat Conaghan calling for a raise to Newstart.Speaking of the ABC, Lucy Barbour, a very excellent regional and rural affair reporter with the broadcaster, had a story this morning with Pat Conaghan calling for a raise to Newstart.
The Cowper Nationals MP (mid-north coast NSW) has looked around and seen the growing poverty in his electorate and told Barbour it is beyond time the rate (basically $280 a week, a figure which has not changed in real terms for two decades) was raised.The Cowper Nationals MP (mid-north coast NSW) has looked around and seen the growing poverty in his electorate and told Barbour it is beyond time the rate (basically $280 a week, a figure which has not changed in real terms for two decades) was raised.
Conaghan has a fan in Acoss CEO Cassandra Goldie:Conaghan has a fan in Acoss CEO Cassandra Goldie:
Queensland LNP senator James McGrath, who is in a deadlocked battle with Amanda Stoker for the LNP’s Liberal Senate spot, is continuing his battle against the ABC.Queensland LNP senator James McGrath, who is in a deadlocked battle with Amanda Stoker for the LNP’s Liberal Senate spot, is continuing his battle against the ABC.
The pair are attempting to out-conservative each other, as they fight for the number one spot on the ticket. The number two spot goes to a National. The number three spot is never guaranteed. So, in the grand tradition of Queensland sending young-fogies to Canberra, senator ‘I don’t know what the youth are into’ McGrath, is waging war against the national broadcaster.The pair are attempting to out-conservative each other, as they fight for the number one spot on the ticket. The number two spot goes to a National. The number three spot is never guaranteed. So, in the grand tradition of Queensland sending young-fogies to Canberra, senator ‘I don’t know what the youth are into’ McGrath, is waging war against the national broadcaster.
It has taken a while (there was a very long introduction) but we have the first revelation.It has taken a while (there was a very long introduction) but we have the first revelation.
Sports Australia first raised concerns to Bridget McKenzie’s office on 5 March (before the election, but when one was very much on the cards).Sports Australia first raised concerns to Bridget McKenzie’s office on 5 March (before the election, but when one was very much on the cards).
Sports minister Richard Colbeck was asked about a North Sydney pool receiving $10m from a fund earmarked for regional facilities (so many Nationals will be just THRILLED to learn North Sydney is now regional).Sports minister Richard Colbeck was asked about a North Sydney pool receiving $10m from a fund earmarked for regional facilities (so many Nationals will be just THRILLED to learn North Sydney is now regional).
He told the ABC:He told the ABC:
(Also, points to anyone who could point out Colbeck in a lineup. No one does ‘generic middle aged white guy’ quite like the Australian parliament.)(Also, points to anyone who could point out Colbeck in a lineup. No one does ‘generic middle aged white guy’ quite like the Australian parliament.)
Just a reminder, given that it is technically #tbt – this entire sports grant affair was referred to the auditor general by Labor because someone thought it would be a great idea to allow Georgina Downer to present a giant novelty cheque with her face on it, to a sports club, while she was just a candidate.Just a reminder, given that it is technically #tbt – this entire sports grant affair was referred to the auditor general by Labor because someone thought it would be a great idea to allow Georgina Downer to present a giant novelty cheque with her face on it, to a sports club, while she was just a candidate.
Sports Australia is up today.Sports Australia is up today.
Featured are:Featured are:
John Wylie, chairJohn Wylie, chair
Robert Dalton, acting chief executive officerRobert Dalton, acting chief executive officer
Luke McCann, chief operating officerLuke McCann, chief operating officer
Meanwhile, from a MP who spent the summer watching the impacts of climate change – worsening natural disasters – comes this story.
Labor’s Mike Kelly, the member for Eden-Monaro, spoke to SBS news about his summer. And why he believes the climate change “debate” in the political class is “criminal”.
A vigil was held for Hannah Clarke and her children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey, last night in parliament house.
Scott Morrison:
Back on Angus Taylor for a moment – the energy minister was also asked on ABC Breakfast if he had confidence none of his current or former staff altered the document which was used in a political attack against Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore:
Q: Just one more question, really briefly if I may, because this is the first time we had the opportunity since the ADF continues for that investigation into that document. Do you have confidence that none of your current or former staff was used to falsifying the document you used against Clover Moore.
Taylor: We had two police forces, the New South Wales police and the AFP considered and closed this matter.
Q: I’m asking you about you? Do you have ...
Taylor: And closed this matter. There’s a political referral from the Labor party. It’s been considered twice over now. They have closed the matter. And I’m focused on making sure we get Australia affordable, reliable energy while we bring down our emissions not just through to 2030, but beyond. That’s my focus. That’s what the Australian people want us as a government to do and me as the relevant minister to do and I’ll keep focusing on that everyday.
In case you haven’t seen it, Chris Knaus has this story:
Anthony Albanese was very quick out of the blocks this morning. He stopped by doors (which MPs only go through when they have something to say to the media).
This is not a new conspiracy.
Here is Graham Readfearn writing on it in 2014. What is damaging about it though, is that it is increasingly creeping into our political debate, lending it legitimacy.
In case it has to be said, the BoM has not changed climate records as part of a global conspiracy to convince you that climate change is real. It is not part of a leftie/Illuminati/alien agenda to pull the wool over your eyes.
Sometimes, the weather stations have to be moved. And when that happens, you make adjustments for changes in the environment.
Any changes the bureau make, are peer-reviewed. They have to go through a rigorous, independent, academic process.
As Readfearn reported in 2014:
I’ll let you know if they start selling tin-foil hats in the parliament gift shop.
In the midst of that, George Christensen moved to extend Craig Kelly’s speaking time. He was also denied.
Kelly joins Liberal senator Gerard Rennick in accusing the Bureau of changing it’s records. He hasn’t received a briefing from the bureau or anything. But he did read someone from the IPA writing about it once, and that’s good enough for him.
And of course, there was Liberal senator Jim Molan’s admission that he doesn’t rely on evidence for his climate change views, which are ‘he could be convinced’ it is happening.
But it is good that the government is completely as one that climate change is happening. Completely. As. One.
Craig Kelly continues. Now, with a bigger audience:
Kelly:
(Tony Burke moves to adjourn the debate, but cannot):
Reading through the hansard from yesterday, and it seems Craig Kelly has dived wholeheartedly into the exciting range of tin foil hats,
Here he is talking on an appropriation bill:
Sports rorts is back in the spotlight, with the Senate inquiry into the government program up first thing this morning.
Sports Australia will appear at the committee today. This comes after the auditor general answered some questions on notice on the issue revealing 136 emails were exchanged between Bridget McKenzie’s office (as the then minister) and Scott Morrison’s office about the program, including one the day before the election was called.
Morrison has maintained that his involvement was limited to representations, and the auditor general said it didn’t believe the prime minister was any more or less successful in those representations than anyone else.
But as Paul Karp reported yesterday, it’s not going to slow down:
Meanwhile, the government is also facing questions about how $10m, which was part of a program meant to help put pools and changing facilities in regional areas, ended up in a North Sydney pool complex.
It led to this exchange between Angus Taylor and an ABC Breakfast host over whether or not North Sydney was “regional”.
Q: How would you describe North Sydney then?
Taylor: Well, North Sydney is like every other part of Australia – lots of kids ...
Q: Is it regional? Is it rural?
Taylor: And adults who want to play sport and they need investment.
Q: Is it regional or rural, Mr Taylor?
Taylor: It’s clear - North Sydney is in Sydney. There’s no doubt about that. But my point is a broader one which is the one type of infrastructure investment that is very clearly in need of more investment and support from government that I see again and again and again is sporting infrastructure. It’s hugely important.
Meanwhile, Jacqui Lambie has reiterated she will not negotiate with the government over its ensuring integrity bill, until it releases the Gaetjen’s report into sports rorts. Morrison will not do that. And so you have a situation where most non-government senators are doing all they can to disrupt government business in the Senate, in a bid to force the government into releasing the report. We don’t know what Morrison’s former chief of staff turned departmental head looked at, how many versions of the colour-coded spreadsheets he examined, or who he talked to. We don’t know what it says – only what the prime minister says it says. That will most likely come up in the hearings as well.
We’ll have all of that and more as the day unfolds.
Ready?
Let’s get into it.