Analysis Finds Labor-Held Seats Received Over 90% of Funds in Federal Grants Scheme
Guardian Australia analysis adds to scrutiny of a $568m community grants program ahead of a Senate inquiry into its selection process.
Federal electorates held by the Labor Party have received more than 90% of funds already distributed under a controversial $568m community grants program in its first five months, according to an analysis by Guardian Australia.
The finding adds to growing concerns over the scheme's selection process, which is set to become the subject of a Senate inquiry.
The scrutiny follows a report published last week by the Centre for Public Integrity, which found that the grants scheme favoured projects in notionally Labor-held electorates. Among the grants cited was a $6m allocation to a golf club located in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's own electorate, according to the report.
The Centre for Public Integrity's findings, combined with the new analysis, have prompted calls for closer examination of how funds have been allocated under the program.
A Senate inquiry into the scheme is expected to examine the criteria and processes used to determine which projects and electorates received funding.
Further details on the scheme's administration and the government's response to the findings have not yet been made public.
Sources
- Labor seats get more than 90% of funding distributed under controversial multi-million dollar grants program — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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