Three-quarters of Labor's $560m grants went to Labor-held seats
A public integrity analysis found three-quarters of Labor's $560 million grants went to Labor-held seats.
The Albanese government distributed $560 million through its Major and Local Community Infrastructure program. Three-quarters of this funding went to Labor-held seats.
A public integrity analysis examined 220 projects and found 45 electorates got no funding. The biggest grants went to Eden-Monaro ($26.47 million for eight projects) and Hawke ($27.5 million for two projects).
The program also gave $6 million to Marrickville Golf Club in Prime Minister Albanese's Grayndler seat. He held an undisclosed honorary membership there.
Former Justice Anthony Whealy said it appeared to be a case of serious pork-barrelling. The Greens called for a Senate inquiry into how projects were picked.
They also wanted to know what role the prime minister and other ministers had in deciding who was invited to apply.
- 560 million
- Total grants
- three-quarters
- Percentage to Labor seats
- 220
- Projects examined
- 45
- Electorates with no funding
Why it mattersGrants distributed heavily to Labor-held seats raise questions about fair use of public money.
AustraliaAustralians are questioning whether their tax money is being distributed on merit or according to political loyalty, prompting a Senate scrutiny of the grants program.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 27 d ago
Open this story in InSnip →
