QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:44): Thank you, Senator Roberts. Strictly speaking, I think this is probably a question for the Minister representing the Minister for Education. I might be wrong about this, but I think that the funding for language schools is provided through the Department of Education.

But I'm happy to do my best to answer your question. This follows a similar question that was asked by Senator Hanson yesterday and indeed is very similar to the question that Senator Duniam asked Senator Wong earlier in question time today. What we have said is that the matters involving the allegations against this pilot are currently under investigation through a joint counterterrorism team.

That team comprises the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO. They are investigating this man's links to Australia. As an investigation is underway, it wouldn't be appropriate to comment.

As I said yesterday in answer to Senator Hanson, there is no current threat to the community or public safety in Australia, and we certainly trust those agencies to undertake their investigation properly. More broadly, when it comes to multicultural grants, again, I made the point yesterday that that we certainly expect all organisations that receive government funding, whether it be through English-language courses or other grants, to conduct themselves in line with government guidelines and funding agreements and in accordance with the expectations of the Australian taxpayer.

If any activities breach those requirements then that funding will be reviewed. Given that this matter is under investigation through the joint counterterrorism team, that's about as much as I can say.