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.
Politicians would lose the ability to pork-barrel under a plan proposed by independent think tank,the Grattan Institute.
In a departure from the convention of leaving grants to ministers,guidelines for almost $1 billion in industry grants required Scott Morrison’s final approval.
The corruption watchdog warned politicians and their advisers that they “do not have an unfettered discretion to distribute public funds”.
Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack says a “subjective” element to a grants program meant money was not just handed out on the advice of “pointy-shoed and faceless bureaucrats”.
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.
The federal government is offering $1000 per adult and $400 per child to those who have suffered a “significant loss” as a result of flooding in 23 local government areas.
Unpublished draft documents,obtained under freedom of information,for the first time reveal the cost blowouts – and extent of community opposition – to the commuter car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.
Scandals over the previous government’s programs,such as $660 million for commuter car parks and $100 million for sports facilities,are the reason for the review.