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The Radical Grant Probe

An Islamic centre in Broadmeadows – “MyCentre” – received $68,000 under the Community Language Schools Grants program. I asked Minister Watt what steps had been taken to verify these funds were used for teaching Arabic to schoolchildren after reports emerged that funds went to a radicalised adult instead.

Minister Watt stated he could not comment on the specifics of the case as the allegations are under active investigation by a joint counterterrorism team (AFP, Victoria Police, ASIO), He emphasised that all grant recipients are expected to comply with funding agreements, with reviews triggered if breaches occur.

When asked whether “MyCentre” was audited between grants for specific program guidelines (such as teaching hours, residency status, and attendance levels), Minister Watt said that the Department for multicultural grants performs due-diligence checks for compliance and risk evaluation. While taking allegations seriously, he reaffirmed the government’s broad support for multicultural organisations.

I questioned whether the Minister could personally assure taxpayers that no government funds were diverted, given reports that “MyCentre” sent $1.1 million overseas to regions like Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Somalia since the Labor government took office. Minister Watt replied that he had not seen these claims, questioned their source and pointed out it is unclear whether those were government grant funds or privately raised money, reiterating that any non-compliance concerns are investigated under standard policy.

Transcript

Senator ROBERTS: My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Watt, in regard to the Community Language Schools Grants program, a Liberal government program that the Albanese government expanded with $26 million in taxpayer money while retaining the purpose to teach foreign languages to schoolchildren up to HSC level. UAE terror pilot Hamam al-Hammami has admitted his radicalisation started while studying at my centre in Broadmeadows, which received $68,000 under this program. At the time, he was an adult university student, not a primary or high school student. My centre is open to all ages. There is a co-located school called MYCollege which is a different legal entity. The grant didn’t go to the school; it went to the radical Islamic centre. What steps have been taken to ensure the funds given to my centre were actually used to teach schoolchildren Arabic? 

Senator Watt: 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. 

The PRESIDENT: Senator Roberts, first supplementary? 

Senator ROBERTS: There are multiple requirements for a grant under the Community Language Schools Grants Program. These include hours of teaching, students being citizens or permanent residents, minimum attendance levels and others. Grant recipients were warned in a grant explainer that they will be required to provide proof they have met the guidelines. Was MyCentre audited between grants to ensure compliance with grant guidelines? If so, please provide a copy of the audit. 

Senator Watt: Again, given that the question has been put to me rather than the Minister representing the Minister for Education, I’m probably better placed to speak about multicultural grants that may have been provided to this organisation. What I can say on that is that the Department of Home Affairs conducts due-diligence checks to assess compliance with eligibility requirements and to identify information that may present a risk to the achievement of the grant objectives. Of course, any allegations of wrongdoing must be taken seriously, but what we will do in the meantime is support multicultural organisations. I know that that’s something we would never see from the One Nation party, which continues to argue that Australia has a monoculture. In contrast to that, we support multicultural communities in Australia and recognise the contribution they have made to this country over many generations. 

The PRESIDENT: Senator Roberts, second supplementary?

Senator ROBERTS: So no answer. Since Labor came to power, MyCentre’s Broadmeadows operation has sent $1.1 million overseas in so-called aid to Afghanistan, Indonesia, Somalia and other Islamic areas. Has the minister assured himself that every cent of taxpayers’ money given to MyCentre was used for the purpose of teaching children a foreign language and nothing else? 

Senator Watt: I haven’t seen the allegations that you’ve just made that this centre has sent money overseas. I’m not sure what the source of that claim is. Also, I’d make the point that, even if that is the case, I’m not sure whether the money that has allegedly been sent overseas has been sourced through government grants or whether that’s been privately sourced and fundraised. Again, when it comes to government grants to any organisation that receives a multicultural grant, our requirements are clear. We expect those organisations to follow government guidelines to comply with their funding agreement, and, whenever there’s a concern that that has not occurred, that matter is investigated.

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Culture is No Excuse for Crime

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Why are courts reducing sentences for child sex offenders based on cultural background? This deeply troubling question was one I raised during Estimates.

I cited a case where a convicted child sex offender had his sentence reduced because the judge believed his cultural upbringing made him think the crime wasn’t seriously wrong. Australians are rightly horrified. I asked whether such reasoning could ever apply to Commonwealth offences. Ms Sharp assured me that while courts consider personal circumstances, the gravity of the offence remains. Still, the fact this even happens is alarming.

— Senate Estimates | October 2025

Transcript

Senator ROBERTS: Turning to another case, I’m alarmed by the recent trend in some states to reduce sentences for heinous crimes because of historical cultural experiences. I’ll get to the federal implications here. One recent state case—this is a state case I’m citing— involved a person from overseas who was convicted of child sexual offences and had his sentence reduced because the trial judge felt that, because of his previous exposure to such activity, it would be unfair for him to be severely punished if he believed what he was doing was not seriously wrong. I think that’s horrified a lot of Australians, and constituents have contacted us. Since when has the law reduced sentences simply because the defendant thought it was okay to commit sexual offences against children?  

Ms Sharp: I’m not sure that that’s how the law operates; you’ve conflated a number of factors. When a sentence is imposed—I am really speaking about the role of courts here, which is outside my direct operation. When courts are determining what sentence to impose, they consider a whole range of factors. Many of those are set out in the Crimes Act, but some are set out by the common law, by the courts as they develop the law of sentencing over time. Those factors include the personal circumstances of both the victim and the offender.  

Senator ROBERTS: A lot of our constituents would be very upset with the decision. They’re telling us they are. They think the judiciary needs to be re-educated, but that’s not for you; I accept that. Can you reassure the Australian public that such a claim would not result in a similar discount if the offence was a Commonwealth one?  

Ms Sharp: Senator, I’m not sure precisely what the claim is. I can say that we make submissions to courts about what we think the appropriate sentence is—what we think are the appropriate factors relevant to sentencing, but those factors do include the personal circumstances of an offender. That’s simply the state of the law, and that’s set out in the provisions of the Crimes Act which deal with how sentences are to be imposed in relation to federal offences.  

Senator ROBERTS: Isn’t it pretty clear cut that molesting a child, sexually abusing a child, sexually assaulting a child, is exactly that? The law would be pretty clear cut on that, wouldn’t it?  

Ms Sharp: Is exactly an offence? Yes, it is an offence.  

Senator ROBERTS: And the sentence would be lessened if the male comes from a country where paedophilia is allowed? 

Ms Sharp: No. Senator, I’m not sure of the particular details of the case about which you’re speaking. At a general level, at a high level, the personal circumstances of an offender are relevant to determining what the appropriate sentence is for every case. It’s not a question of whether that lessens the gravity of the offence. It’s just one of the factors that go into the mix in determining what is the appropriate sentence for a particular matter.  

Senator ROBERTS: I’m at a loss for words. Anyway, thank you very much. 

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