LABOR WELCOMES AUDITS INTO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

Labor welcomes last Friday’s announcement of the Australian National Audit Office’s 2020–21 audit work program, including inquiries into the Urban Congestion Fund, the Building Better Regions Fund, and the Drought Communities Program.

We know that in the lead up to the last election Scott Morrison funnelled 133 of 160 Urban Congestion Fund projects into Liberal and targeted seats.

We know that during the 2019 Federal Election campaign the Morrison Government announced that some councils would be made eligible for the Community Drought Program even though they did not meet funding criteria, while other drought-affected councils were made ineligible. 

And we know that the Morrison Government awarded 156 of 166 projects to Coalition seats or to seats targeted by the Coalition under Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Infrastructure Fund.

These audits will provide an important opportunity for oversight of Government spending.

Australians deserve to know that their tax-payer dollars are being allocated properly, with spending decisions based on community need rather than the political priorities of the Morrison Government.

MONDAY, 6 JULY 2020