8 February 2012

828  MR OAKESHOTT: To ask the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport—Can he (a) provide an update on the Very Fast Train proposal between Sydney and Brisbane, and (b) confirm he has received a submission from the community of Taree for a dedicated Very Fast Train station.

829  MR OAKESHOTT: To ask the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport—Can he provide complete details of costings and work schedules for the full completion of the Pacific Highway dual carriageway works between Hexham and the Tweed.

830  MR OAKESHOTT: To ask the Attorney-General—Has she responded to recent claims that (a) the Government (i) spent more than $9.7 million using a grant from her department’s Counter Violent Extremism Fund to promote the Islam religion in Australia, (ii) has developed and implemented activities that assist the Islamic Society of Victoria to dispel myths and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, and (iii) is funding overseas religious workers, paying them a salary of $66,000 per year to spread Islam in Australia, and (b) no such government program has ever been run for any other religious group, and no other religion has ever received a penny from the government; if so, what was her response.

831  MR OAKESHOTT: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy—Can the Minister indicate whether any tenders were received for the roll-out of set-top boxes throughout Australia as part of the Household Assistance Scheme; if so, were any received; if so, can the Minister indicate by whom, and whether any of the prices tendered were less than the one selected.