Speech – Raising a Matter of Privilege

The Hon Dan Tehan MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Manager of Opposition Business

SPEECH – RAISING A MATTER OF PRIVILEGE

PRIME MINISTER DELIBERATELY MISLEADING THE HOUSE AS TO THE INVITE-ONLY MARRICKVILLE GOLF CLUB GRANT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

29 October 2026

E&OE…

Speaker, I wish to raise a matter of privilege.

Noting we are now between items of business and having taken time to review Chamber materials following discussion on the matter of public importance, I hope you will agree that I am raising this at the earliest opportunity.

Today in Question Time, the Member for Parkes asked the Prime Minister about his $6 million taxpayer-funded grant to Marrickville Golf Club made under the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

In his answer, the Prime Minister asserted that the grant for the Marrickville golf club wasn’t “invite-only”.

Speaker, I present a printed copy of The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts webpage, current as at 29 October 2026, for the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program. 

On that webpage, it is stated, quote “The Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program opened on 1 September 2025. This is an invitation-only program.”

Speaker, the issue concerning the Prime Minister’s $6 million grant to the Marrickville Golf Club has drawn considerable public attention ever since it was first raised in this Parliament.

Many Australians do not understand why the Prime Minister has been able to state what he has in the House without there being any recourse.

On both the substance and impression of the Prime Minister’s answer, he has tried to create a fabrication that the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program was not invite only.

The Prime Minister did not give an idle answer.

The Prime Minister was seen looking at his notes both prior to providing his answer and during – he provided a prepared, scripted response to the question.

In other words, the Prime Minister had fore-knowledge of the grant’s program and chose to deliberately mislead the House as to its design.

In giving the answer the Prime Minister did, he has deliberately misled the House.

Speaker, can I ask that you:

  • consider the statement I have made, the document I have presented, and review both Hansard and the relevant chamber footage.
  • consider whether I have made out a prima facie case that a possible contempt has occurred as it relates to the Prime Minister deliberately misleading the House; and
  • on that basis, decide whether a referral to the Privileges Committee ought to be given precedence over other business.

ENDS

 
Media contact: Phil Connole – 0417 063 605

Background

Webpage – Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program – The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/major-and-local-community-infrastructure-program