Labor promised Adelaide soccer grant before project was costed
Federal Labor pledged $5 million to an Adelaide sports precinct before formal planning or detailed costings were done, newly released documents show.
Freedom of Information documents show Health Minister Mark Butler's office pushed City of Charles Sturt council to apply for federal funding. The council had asked for just $1.2 million for lighting and a master plan.
Labor asked them to propose a larger $6 million project instead. The project was to be a permanent home for the Adelaide Jaguars women's soccer club.
Labor then pledged $5 million before the 2025 election. This was through an invite-only grant scheme.
The scheme faced criticism for focusing on Labor-held seats and target seats. One council official called the expanded plan "gobsmacking."
They said it looked like a "takeover" of the space. Butler defended the grant as following Commonwealth rules.
He said it was good for women's soccer.
- $5 million
- Labor's pledge
- Around $6 million
- Project total scope
- $1.2 million
- Council's original request
- $560 million
- Grant scheme total
Why it mattersThe sequence raises questions about whether grant money was allocated before proper due diligence, and whether federal funding favours Labor electorates over merit.
AustraliaAustralian taxpayers funded a project in South Australia without standard planning and costing steps; a Senate inquiry is examining whether this practice happened across the government's $560 million grant scheme.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
