QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:16): I can certainly confirm this commitment was raised prior to that point because it was publicly and transparently released to the Australian community and publicly committed to along with all of our other election commitments. All of those election commitments were transparently communicated to the Australian people and then they were delivered on through government.

As I said before, governments are entitled, and all political parties are entitled, to make election commitments. You made many. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat.

Order! Order across the chamber! Senator WONG: Secondly, we delivered this in accordance with the way in which the Audit Office indicated election commitments should be delivered—that is, through properly designed administered grants programs.

That is how governments should deliver on their election commitments and that is what we did. Also, the grants to deliver those election commitments must follow proper processes in accordance with the Commonwealth grants rules and principles, and that is what we did. Senator, as you would understand, of course the government ensures that we deliver on our election commitments across government, and that is what we are doing.

But, as I said, Senator Paterson, the Prime Minister was not the decision-maker. Under this very program, I am also pleased to indicate to you that Mr Pasin, who committed $500,000 in upgrades in Murray Bridge— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: Come on, it's Murray Bridge. You have to actually listen to this.

As a South Australian, I ask you to please listen about Murray Bridge. On 2 March, a $4.9 million grant to Murray Bridge— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Paterson, first supplementary?