Labor stands by $4m in invite-only ACT grants
Labor handed out $4 million in invite-only ACT grants with no competitive process or public criteria.
The Albanese government handed out $4 million in invite-only grants for community and sports projects in ACT, sparking questions about openness. Canberra MP Alicia Payne got $1.6 million for upgrades to Lyneham hockey centre's playing surface and drainage.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King opened it in time for Hockey Australia under-21 championships in April. The scheme had no competitive process.
It had no public criteria for choosing projects. ACT independent David Pocock accused the government of throwing money around in marginal seats.
"You shouldn't have to live in a marginal seat to get the funding your community needs," he said. The Centre for Public Integrity criticised the lack of merit-based selection.
They said the approach damaged trust in government.
- $4 million
- Total grants
- $1.6 million
- Lyneham hockey centre upgrade
- April
- Hockey Australia under-21 championships
- Closed, non-competitive process
- Selection method
Why it mattersThis raises questions about whether federal grants fund projects based on genuine community need or based on political advantage.
AustraliaConcerns about how federal infrastructure money is allocated across Australia and whether smaller towns outside marginal seats miss out.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 22 h ago
