The findings have been revealed in full after the release of the February 2020 report under freedom of information laws,long after the Coalition’s funding blitz before the 2019 election.
More than half the recipients in a grants program overseen by Scott Morrison were located in Coalition electorates and several others were based in electorates he was desperate to win.
An audit of regional grants - which handed money to pickleball courts and a speedway track - found Nationals seats received more than $100m extra than if money was handed out fairly.
A raft of controversial programs set up by the Coalition government are on the auditor-general’s wishlist as he plans what to examine over the next year.
Unpublished draft documents,obtained under freedom of information,for the first time reveal the cost blowouts – and extent of community opposition – to the commuter car parks project.
An audit has found ethical shortfalls in the Industry Department’s ‘Entrepreneurs Programme’,which offers businesses practical advice and mentorship from experts.
Australia’s financial watchdog is considering launching a sweeping inquiry into the federal carve-up of infrastructure funding,after Victoria complained it has been short-changed by the Morrison government.