Public servants from Anthony Albanese office have drawn criticism for being unable to answer questions during a hearing into a controversial $560million government grant scheme.
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servants → draw → scheme
A Senate inquiry is examining the Major and Local Infrastructure Program, including a $6million grant to the Marrickville Golf Club in Albanese's electorate of Grayndler, just 200m from a house he owns.
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he → examine → house
The scheme has been criticised over allegations it favoured safe and marginal Labor electorates rather than merit-based projects, with Constitutional expert Anne Twomey previously slamming the grants as 'grey corruption'.
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Twomey → criticise → corruption
During a fiery hearing on Thursday, Kylie Kilgour from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said it was too early to express an opinion, but certain aspects of the scheme had 'piqued' her interest.
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aspects → say → interest
Established in September 2025, the program allowed only organisations invited by the federal government to apply.
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organisations → establish → government
Greens deputy leader Steph Hodgins-May told the hearing it was 'astonishing' so many organisations were locked out.
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organisations → tell → hearing
Independent MP Helen Haines - who remains in hospital with two amputated legs after an alleged car ramming attack on Monday - was previously loudly critical of the Prime Minister over the $6million grant.
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who → remain → grant
Albanese was glowing in his praise for Haines' 'integrity' after the alleged attack, but has since been in damage control after Daily Mail revealed his office had in response circulated a 'dirt file' on Haines to undermine her credibility.
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office → glow → credibility
He would also walk his own dog Toto at the golf club
The Prime Minister's office has been accused of circulating a 'dirt file' on injured Victorian MP Helen Haines after she criticsed his funding announcement for his local golf club
A grant scheme has been accused of favouring Labor electorates after a $6million grant was approved for Marrickville Golf Club (above) in Albanese's electorate
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grant → walk → electorate
The Major and Local Infrastructure Program inquiry follows a September 2026 report said the program raised serious integrity concerns.
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program → follow → concerns
It found around three-quarters of grant funding flowed to electoral divisions held by Labor, while 45 electorates received nothing.
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electorates → find → nothing
Department of Infrastructure officials Lisa Lauter and Jacinta McDonald gave evidence that the program's closed and non-competitive process did not mean automatic approval, and that applicants were assessed against a set of criteria.
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applicants → give → criteria
'Every invited organisation had to submit an application, demonstrate eligibility, merit and value for money,' Ms Lauter said, adding that the department did not select or provide advice on projects, applicants, locations or funding amounts.
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department → invite → projects
On the second day of the hearing, multiple witnesses were unable to clarify who approved the prime minister's April 2025 announcement of the golf club's funding.
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who → clarify → funding
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie became increasingly exasperated by the amount of questions taken on notice by representatives from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
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McKenzie → become → Minister
'It's hard not to be concerned,' Senator McKenzie said.
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McKenzie → say → ?
According to a government brief of the Marrickville Golf Club project it involved bar and alfresco dining upgrades, a new pro shop, a 'dog walking station' and stormwater harvesting.
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it → accord → bar
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie (above) said it was 'hard not to be concerned' about the scheme
'
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it → say → scheme
The project will deliver a refurbished... clubhouse and precinct, creating an enhanced environment for the community to enjoy gatherings for recreation,' the brief stated.
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brief → deliver → recreation
The project will increase the club's ability to earn revenue, attract more members, visitors and casual golfers (and) improve community access to open space.'
Liberal senator Paul Scarr also challenged the department's choice regarding witnesses, saying the committee was denied the ability to ask questions of people with necessary knowledge.
The prime minister and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King declined invitations to appear before the inquiry.
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minister → increase → inquiry
The Aporia
