QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (14:36): Thank you, Minister. Minister, I'm glad you mentioned the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, because they provide that competitive, merit based processes should be used unless specifically agreed otherwise and that, where they are not, the rationale should be documented. Clearly, there was no merits based process here.

It certainly wasn't competitive. Will you table the rationale for the departure from the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles? Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

Senator Cash, I'm waiting to call the minister. Minister Gallagher.