Australia criticizes distribution of $560 million in grants across electorates
In Australia, the Centre for Public Integrity said the government’s $560 million Major and Local Community Infrastructure (MLCI) grant program predominantly directed funds to electorates safe for the Labor Party and those where the party was competing to win in the 2025 federal election. As ABC News Australia reports, 45 electorates were not invited to apply and received no funding under the program.
The program was closed: only invited organizations could submit applications. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the MLCI was created to fund Labor’s election commitments to upgrade sporting facilities, parks and other local infrastructure.
Distribution of funding
The Centre analyzed more than 220 projects invited to participate and found that 73% of the funds went to electorates considered notionally held by the Labor Party. Coalition electorates received 23% of the funding, while other electorates received 4%. According to the Centre’s executive director, Catherine Williams, for every dollar spent in Coalition electorates, $3.20 was spent in electorates notionally held by Labor.
According to the Centre’s calculations, $493 million of the $560 million fund was directed to electorates that were safe, relatively safe or competitive for Labor, while electorates where the party was not competitive received $66 million. The researchers also found no link between the size of grants and household income levels or an infrastructure needs indicator. The country’s poorest electorates received below-average funding.
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The Centre’s chair, former judge Anthony Whealy, said the distribution of funds could at first glance indicate improper use of public money or serious so-called pork-barrelling — directing budget funds for electoral advantage. He said the government must explain the project selection procedure and the reasons for using a closed, non-competitive mechanism.
Government position and golf club
Catherine King said the MLCI complies with established practice and updated grant rules. According to her, ministers do not make decisions on applications in their own electorates — these are considered by another member of the government. The government also stated that applicants must demonstrate the project’s social and economic benefits, its viability, and the organization’s capacity to carry out the work. It separately pointed to $1.7 billion in open competitive grants in the Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs fund.
Independent MP Helen Haines noted that the only golf club invited to the MLCI was Marrickville Golf Club in the Sydney electorate of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The club received $6 million to upgrade its clubhouse, including for a ramp for people with disabilities and repairs to the septic system. Haines questioned the criteria for inviting the club, while Rutherglen Golf Club in her Indi electorate had no opportunity to apply.
