Why the sports grants scandal won't go away

Despite the government's best efforts, the arguments in favour of Bridget McKenzie's decision-making don't add up.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie arrives to address the media on Monday.

Andrew Tillett and Tom McIlroy

Updated Feb 3, 2020 – 5.07pm, first published at 4.15pm

Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Bridget McKenzie may have fallen on her sword over giving a $36,000 grant to a gun club she was a member of, but the sports rorts scandal gives every indication of going into extra time.

Scott Morrison's blithe assurances that the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, found there was no evidence of political pork-barrelling doesn't stand up to much scrutiny for a number of reasons.

Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

License article

Introducing your Newsfeed

Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.

Find out more

Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondentAndrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery.

Tom McIlroyCanberra Bureau ChiefTom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.