Crossbench MPs are calling for changes to the Commonwealth grants system after an analysis found most of a $560 million invite-only community infrastructure program went to Labor-held electorates, including marginal seats where the party was competitive.

The Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program was a closed, non-competitive scheme created to deliver government election commitments. The Centre for Public Integrity found that about 73% of the funding went to notionally Labor-held divisions, while 45 electorates received no funding from the program.

The centre’s analysis found marginal electorates where Labor was competitive received $66.5 million more than a proportional distribution would have produced. It also found no apparent link between grant intensity and measures of household income or community connectedness.

The findings have prompted crossbench MPs to call for mandatory and enforceable standards for grants administration, greater transparency around funding decisions and stronger parliamentary oversight.

Independent MP Helen Haines, a key campaigner for Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, is proposing private member’s legislation aimed at strengthening safeguards around Commonwealth grants.

“Sports rorts was pork barrelling by deception, this is pork barrelling by design,” Haines said in a statement.

She said her proposed legislation would not prevent governments from investing in local infrastructure but would seek to ensure funding was allocated fairly, transparently and in the public interest.

The crossbench proposal includes a non-government-chaired parliamentary committee, with crossbench participation, to oversee grants administration and compliance with Commonwealth grants rules and principles.

The federal government has defended the program, saying it was established to deliver election commitments and that the scheme operated under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has said ministers do not approve projects in their own electorates.

The Centre for Public Integrity has called for enforceable integrity standards, arguing that the invitation-only design did not give communities an equal opportunity to seek funding based on need and merit.

During Question Time, independent MP Monique Ryan continued pressing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the $6 million grant to Marrickville Golf Club in his electorate. Ryan asked whether government spending should be based on merit rather than on retaining and winning marginal seats.

Albanese responded by pointing to critical infrastructure upgrades in the electorate of independent MP Sophie Scamps, who was sitting beside Ryan, and said crossbenchers lobby governments for projects around elections and byelections.

Scamps began interjecting during the response and was ejected from the chamber by the Speaker.

Albanese defended the projects in his own electorate, saying they were worthwhile and provided community benefits, including benefits for people most in need.

Source: The Guardian

By Australia By Aussie