Australia’s multicultural affairs minister has ordered a halt to a government grant process involving an Islamic organisation after questions were raised in federal parliament about its activities.
During question time, Liberal MP Leon Rebello asked whether the government had investigated all funding – “both secret and public” – provided to Islamic organisations that had reportedly mourned the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The question was directed to the minister for multicultural affairs, Anne Aly.
The inquiry follows controversy surrounding a federal grant issued to a Melbourne-based organisation known as the TAHA Group.
Media reports suggested the group had been mourning the death of Khamenei, prompting scrutiny from opposition MPs over whether public funds should be provided to organisations associated with such statements.
Responding in parliament, Aly rejected the suggestion that government funding decisions could involve “secret” payments.
“I take issue with the insertion of ‘secret’ in the question,” the minister told the House of Representatives.
“All grant decisions are public.”
Aly confirmed she had instructed her department to halt the active grant process relating to the organisation while the issue was examined.
“I have instructed my department to stop the active grant process for TAHA,” she said.
The minister emphasised that the government closely monitors the use of public funds by community organisations.
“This government takes very seriously the fact that all public funding that goes to any organisation – whether they are cultural organisations or sporting organisations – we take very seriously the role that they play and ensuring that their activities are in line with the standards that Australian taxpayers expect,” Aly said.
The exchange highlights increasing political scrutiny of government funding for community organisations amid broader debates about foreign influence, political messaging and accountability in public grants.
Federal grant programs regularly provide funding to cultural, community and social organisations across Australia, but they are subject to transparency and reporting requirements designed to ensure public money is used appropriately.
The opposition has increasingly used parliamentary question time to probe the government over funding decisions involving organisations with controversial political or international connections.
The government has not indicated whether the paused grant process will ultimately be cancelled or resumed following departmental review.
