Key facts
- Federal Labor seats have received 92% of the $248 million in community grants approved since March.
- The $568 million community grants scheme will be the subject of a Senate inquiry.
- Victoria has received $99 million in grants, with $92 million allocated to seats held by state Labor MPs.
- The single largest grant was $25 million for a new Bacchus Marsh aquatic center in federal and state Labor seats.
- Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland have received less than $25 million, $15 million and $8 million respectively.
Federal Labor seats have received over 90% of funds already awarded in the first five months of a controversial multi-million dollar grants program, according to Guardian Australia analysis. The $568 million community grants scheme will be the subject of a Senate inquiry after a report by the Centre for Public Integrity revealed the scheme favored projects in notionally Labor-held electorates.
The Guardian Australia analysis shows that 92% of the $248 million in approved funding since March has gone to federal Labor seats. Victoria and New South Wales were the biggest state recipients, receiving $189.7 million combined. Councils in Victoria have so far received $99 million, with $92 million worth of projects located in seats held by state Labor MPs, including those at risk in the upcoming November election.
The single largest grant was $25 million for a new Bacchus Marsh aquatic center in federal and state Labor seats. Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland have received less than $25 million, $15 million and $8 million respectively to date.
Independent MP Helen Haines stated that "election should not be the selection" and that public money should go where there is genuine community need, not political advantage. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King described the program's structure as "sound" and claimed there were no conflicts of interest as final decisions were made by her office.
The Senate will hold an inquiry into the scheme, proposed by the Greens with Coalition and crossbench support, after Labor voted against it. Greens spokesperson for democracy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, said the inquiry would investigate project selection, exclusion of applicants, and conflict of interest declarations.
Victorian Labor MPs were reportedly asked to identify smaller local projects for potential funding, with sources indicating a more realistic approach to campaign wishlists due to a tightening fiscal environment and a forecast of soaring state debt. Federal Victorian Senator James Paterson accused the government of using public money for partisan electoral benefit.