Secret review reveals conflicts of interest in Labor’s $37 million community grants scheme

Secret review reveals conflicts of interest in Labor’s $37 million community grants scheme

Two projects under Labor’s controversial grants program were kiboshed by the Premier’s Department over “unacceptable” conflict of interest concerns.

  • byMax Maddison

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Inner West Council rejected the state’s housing plan. The PM gave them $2.6 million to do it again

Inner West Council rejected the state’s housing plan. The PM gave them $2.6 million to do it again

Anthony Albanese has given his home council millions to redo housing plans already drawn up by the state Labor government.

  • byMichael Koziol
This north shore council was ordered to repay $36 million for unbuilt park. Instead,it wants to sue

This north shore council was ordered to repay $36 million for unbuilt park. Instead,it wants to sue

An outraged Philip Ruddock,the Liberal mayor of Hornsby,said he was “as disappointed as I am flabbergasted” by the government’s decision to recall the funding.

  • byMichael Koziol
This Sydney council has to hand back ‘pork-barrelling millions’ for park that was never built

This Sydney council has to hand back ‘pork-barrelling millions’ for park that was never built

The grants program run by the former Coalition government went predominantly to Liberal and National electorates. Now one council’s been ordered to return the money.

  • byAlexandra Smith
PM warned against ‘slippery slope’ of picking business winners with taxpayer billions

PM warned against ‘slippery slope’ of picking business winners with taxpayer billions

Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood said the government’s push to subsidise manufacturing risks creating businesses that rely on handouts. And her predecessors agree.

  • byDavid Crowe andShane Wright
Australia invented solar panels. Now 99 per cent of ours are made in China

Australia invented solar panels. Now 99 per cent of ours are made in China

Despite the government’s $1 billion announcement this week,Australian solar manufacturing could disappear as several companies said they have already been approached to move offshore.

  • byMike Foley
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How a change in the description of a coastal town will cost a state $200 million

How a change in the description of a coastal town will cost a state $200 million

A change in the definition of Coffs Harbour will cost NSW millions and other states win or lose on similar technicalities. These are the mysteries of the GST allocation system.

  • byShane Wright
The GST system is broken and Scott Morrison’s fix has only made things worse
Analysis
GST

The GST system is broken and Scott Morrison’s fix has only made things worse

Every Australian’s life is affected by how the GST is allocated. But the latest carve-up of cash shows the entire system is broken and needs fixing now.

  • byShane Wright
Labor MPs and candidates supported grants to organisations despite personal links

Labor MPs and candidates supported grants to organisations despite personal links

Labor gave each of its 93 candidates $400,000 to allocate to local community organisations. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were promised to projects with direct links to some MPs and candidates.

  • byMax Maddison
MCA weighs up end to free admission in face of budget crisis
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Art

MCA weighs up end to free admission in face of budget crisis

Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art has appealed for a government funding boost as it contemplates bringing back public admission fees.

  • byLinda Morris
Industry plan offers $400 million to rescue ‘missing middle’ companies

Industry plan offers $400 million to rescue ‘missing middle’ companies

Australian companies are shrinking or stagnating when they try to join the ranks of the nation’s biggest employers,spurring the federal government to help them commercialise ideas.

  • byDavid Crowe