LABOR’S $560 MILLION PORK BARREL EXPOSES ANOTHER ALBANESE LIE

LABOR’S $560 MILLION PORK BARREL EXPOSES ANOTHER ALBANESE LIE

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has slammed Labor after revelations its $560 million community infrastructure program overwhelmingly favoured Labor-held and marginal electorates.

“Before taking office, Anthony Albanese said the antidote to corrupt decision-making was ‘a big dose of Australian sunshine’. This program proves that promise was another lie,” Mr Pasin said.

“Labor made the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program invitation-only and non-competitive, locking thousands of community organisations out of applying.”

The Centre for Public Integrity found 73.2 per cent of funding went to Labor-held electorates while 45 electorates, including Barker, received nothing.

“Neither disadvantage nor community need explains the result. Yet the only golf club invited was the Marrickville Golf Club in the Prime Minister’s electorate, receiving $6 million, a golf club we now learn the Prime Minister himself is a member of.” Mr Pasin said.

The Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program is administered by Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, whose previous administration of a regional grants program was the subject of a damning Australian National Audit Office audit.

“That audit was highly critical of Minister King’s actions and now more than a decade later, under Anthony Albanese, she’s at it again,” Mr Pasin said.

“The sad truth is that many clubs and community organisations across Barker were denied even the opportunity of making an application.”

“This is taxpayers’ money. It belongs to every Australian, not Labor’s campaign machine.”

“Anthony Albanese promised Australians a transparent and accountable government. This is another lie from a Prime Minister Australians simply can’t trust.”