The Auditor-General has found the former federal government funnelled an extra $100 million into Nationals electorates against the advice of the Infrastructure Department.
"Specifically, applications located in electorates held by The Nationals were awarded $104 million more grant funding than would have been the case had funding been awarded to those applications assessed as the most meritorious in each round," the report said.
"The most significant reductions were to electorates held by the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party ." "Former Coalition ministers made decisions on the basis of 'choose-your-own-adventure' criteria that weren't fully explained to those applying for grants.The ANAO has lashed the Coalition for its management of other grants programs in the past, including the colour-coded spreadsheets used as part of the "sports rorts" saga presided over by then-minister Bridget McKenzie.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Hard work pays off’: Schoolboy Shrey’s ‘dream’ selection for Australian Deaf cricket teamAt 16, Shrey Patel was the youngest player selected in the Australian Deaf cricket team to play against England in the recent Inclusion Series. The spin bowler speaks about how he is balancing his schoolwork with his sporting aspirations.
Read more »
Tamara was just 28 when she was diagnosed with a condition affecting 2.2 million AustraliansTamara was just 28 when she was diagnosed with a condition affecting 2.2 million Australians.
Read more »
Labor drops Coalition bid to overturn high court ruling that Indigenous Australians can’t be aliensDecision by attorney general Mark Dreyfus guarantees a dozen Aboriginal non-citizens at risk of deportation will be able to stay in Australia
Read more »
Deep dive: colonic irrigation water often has more bacteria than public pools allow, Sydney audit findsExperts call for more regulation at clinics after report also shows staff often don’t wear protective aprons
Read more »
Australian mountain climber Matthew Eakin one of two men found dead on K2The bodies of two mountaineers, Eakin and Canadian man Richard Cartier, found on the world’s second-highest mountain in Pakistan
Read more »