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'Shady' Labor election grants under inquiry spotlight
Senators are examining whether the invite-only program favored Labor seats as critics question who approved the grants.
- On Thursday, the Senate continued a two-day review of the controversial $560.9 million Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program, investigating the invite-only grant process and allocation decisions.
- Analysis revealed that nearly three-quarters of grants were allocated to notionally Labor-held or competitive seats, prompting constitutional concerns that led to republished guidelines last October.
- Marrickville Golf Club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate received a $6 million grant, becoming the focal point; Independent MP Helen Haines called the distribution unfair, saying "all communities get a fair go."
- Addressing senators on Thursday, acting NACC commissioner Kylie Kilgour stated it was "impossible" to determine corrupt conduct, though aspects had "piqued" her interest; she praised Haines as "instrumental" in establishing the NACC.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his office's dissemination of a "dirt file" about Haines, claiming it showed "people of integrity stand up for their electorate," though the file questioned $1.8 billion in funding she selected.
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11 Articles
Sydney Morning Herald+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Corruption watchdog’s interest ‘piqued’ by Labor’s invite-only grants
A Senate inquiry into the controversial program comes as Anthony Albanese was forced to defend a “dirt file” his office sent out about independent MP Helen Haines.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 22%
11%
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