The Morrison Government has been caught out pork barrelling and rorting taxpayer money again this time through the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
44 of the 163 grants went to seats held by Michael McCormack and three of his ministerial mates who decide which projects gets funded.
This funding was meant to help communities impacted by drought – the Morrison Government must explain why some projects were picked and others were rejected, despite being recommended by the experts.
“Yet again the Liberals and Nationals have been caught handing out taxpayers money to projects against expert advice ” Shadow Minister for Government Accountability, Senator Keneally said.
“To make matters worse the government has redacted large sections of the report, further undermining trust in the program.
“Michael McCormack should immediately disclose the full list of projects that he and his mates approved against departmental advice.
“What other rorts and mismanagement is Michael McCormack trying to cover up?
“Just like Sports Rorts and dodgy land deals, the Morrison Government is using taxpayers money like it’s their own,” she said.
The Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Catherine King said the Morrison Government’s pattern of overruling Departmental recommendations to fund projects in Coalition held or targeted seats was not just a 2019 election tactic, but has become part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s modus operandi.
“In the calendar year 2020, around 27 per cent of BBRF projects funded were in the seats of those ministers who sat in judgment on the applications from councils and regional organisations around the country.
“As we get closer to the next election, we expect to see the Liberals and Nationals use public funds to cynically try to win votes.
“Our regions deserve so much better,” she said.
With $1 trillion of debt – Australians simply can’t afford more of the Morrison Government’s rorts, waste and mismanagement.
If you want accountability and transparency in government, Labor is on your side.
FRIDAY, 7 MAY 2021
KRISTINA KENEALLY & CATHERINE KING – MEDIA RELEASE – MORRISON’S BUILDING BETTER RORTS FUND EXPOSED – FRIDAY, 7 MAY 2021
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2021