15th Feb 2021, 3:16 PM – Representatives Motions - Minister for Home Affairs - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with a motion introduced by Shortland MP Pat Conroy (Labor), which means the motion failed.

The motion was to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to let another vote take place.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Shortland from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1) notes:

(a) the Minister for Home Affairs cut funding to projects recommended by community safety experts in his department to fund projects in marginal and government-held electorates;

(b) the Minister for Home Affairs announced funding for two projects during the Braddon by-election before grant guidelines were finalised, before grant applications were written, and before his department had provided him with advice, which was the projects were "unsuitable and ineligible";

(c) the Minister for Home Affairs also gave $880,000 from the proceeds of crime to the National Retail Association after it made a donation to support the Minister's election campaign; and

(d) this is just the latest scandal involving the Government rorting taxpayers' money to advance its political interests; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Minister for Home Affairs to immediately explain his actions to the House for a period not exceeding 15 minutes.