Editorial: Sport clubs aren’t political pawns

The Albanese government would do well to remember its scorn of the previous government in relation to its sports grants scandal, writes the editor.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that politicians of all persuasions will make commitments to sporting and community groups ahead of an election in order to try to sway votes.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with it – to an extent – but people expect those promises to be delivered upon.

In the May 2022 election, which saw the Albanese government take power, Labor made a plethora of election commitments to sporting and community groups.

These included 66 projects worth $140m, which are being funded through the Investing in Our Communities or Priority Community Infrastructure Program.

It’s been more than a year, and just one of the projects has received funding approval.

While it will bring much joy to the Gladstone Anzac Memorial Bowls Club, the other groups are still waiting.

The Morrison government’s sports grants scandal is an example of where the system goes too far.

Projects receiving funding were so heavily influenced by which electorate they were in, the grants received one of the most damning Australian National Audit Office reviews ever.

Despite this, an Auditor-General’s report still found that all clubs that received money had been eligible for the grant, even though the government was ignoring merit-based recommendations by Sport Australia.

During its time in opposition, Labor said it would “end the rorts” and condemned the pork-barrelling of the Coalition government.

This lofty position, however, did not stop it from barrelling its fair share of pork in the lead-up to the election.

Target seats – including Gladstone in the hotly contested seat of Flynn – were given plenty of funding commitments from both sides of politics.

The Courier-Mail at the time revealed the multimillion-dollar under-the-radar spending spree that was taking place in key battleground electorates such as Ryan, Brisbane and Blair.

The Albanese government may be seeking to set up proper processes around the grants projects, but it is also insisting that all its election commitments will be funded.

Similarly, it has excluded any election commitments from its audit of the $120bn infrastructure investment pipeline.

No one is saying the Albanese government should not fund its election commitments.

These sporting and community groups are counting on the government to come through on its promise.

But there are certainly more shades of grey in government than there are in opposition.

The bottom line is, these commitments were a huge part of Labor’s campaign to win the 2022 election.

Anthony Albanese ran a small-target campaign after the party was a huge target for negative commentary during the 2019 election – initially thought to be “unlosable” for Bill Shorten.

During the 2022 campaign, Labor spruiked projects at grassroots levels without much fanfare – or indeed any press conferences for questions to be asked.

These projects must now be delivered on, or at the very least a time frame must be set out.

There is increased scrutiny on sporting and community grants in relation to election promises.

The Albanese government would do well to remember its scorn of the previous government in relation to its sports grants scandal, and put some more effort in to ensure its promises are met.

PM NEEDS TO CHANGE TACTICS ON THE VOICE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use the annual Lowitya O’Donoghue Oration on Monday to rally support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Sadly, much of the speech is focused on what he calls the disinformation of the No campaign.

“It’s only a matter of time before (No campaigners) tell us that the Voice will fade the curtains,” he will say, and undoubtably he will get a laugh.

But you don’t fight disinformation with jokes, you fight it with information.

The fact that people who are naturally sympathetic to the Voice – like Brisbane’s Liberal Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner – have expressed concerns about a lack of detail is a real concern and one the Prime Minister needs to address.

Rather than dismissing “misinformation”, take it on, head-on. Treat those on the No side of the debate with respect and try to change their minds.

Provide real examples of how the Voice will change Indigenous health and education outcomes.

Talk people through how the Voice will interact with the existing bureaucracy to achieve reconciliation and make Australia a better country.

For the Yes vote to succeed the Prime Minister has to change tactics and tone.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here