Golf courses get $11 million in taxpayer money

A multimillion-dollar splash of taxpayer cash on golf courses — including one over 2000km offshore — has opponents crying foul.

THE Federal Government has spent $11 million upgrading golf courses across the country in the past year alone, including on Christmas Island.

The cash splash has come from a range of grants, including more than $5 million to upgrade facilities, restaurants and a cafe at the remote Broome Golf Club, which describes itself as “the million-dollar golf course with million-dollar views”.

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The spending has been criticised as “the biggest joke since Happy Gilmore”, a reference to the Adam Sandler golfing comedy.

Christmas Island Golf Club is one of more than 20 golf courses across the country which shared in $11 million in taxpayer money. Picture: Supplied

Queensland greens shared in the largesse, including $250,000 to upgrade fairway irrigation at St George Golf Club – in a drought stricken town.

Golf courses in Beaudesert, Innisfail, Toogoolawah, Wolston Park at Wacol and Mt Warren also received cash from the Federal Government ranging from $5000 to $65,000.

The money used to upgrade more than 20 golfing greens came from a series of grants, including the Building Better Regions Fund and Community Development grants, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

The golf club on Christmas Island – in a location most known for its immigration detention facility recently reopened – received $7500 for new equipment, storage facilities and a drinking water fountain.

It is located 2600km north northwest of Perth.

Another $5 million was signed off for the Devonport Country Club in Tasmania, with the taxpayer money used for bowling greens, croquet lawns, indoor bowls centre, clubhouse and function centre, upgrading the 10th and 11th holes of the golf shop, as well as the pro-shop.

Full membership of the Broome Golf Course costs more than $1000 for the year, while it caters to a town of 14,000 people.

“One of Sydney’s best golf courses with a view, St Michaels Golf Club, also received taxpayer money for upgrades. Picture: Supplied

The BRRF grants are approved by a ministerial panel, while federal Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack is responsible for approving the Community Development Grants.

Grants funding for golf was not limited to the Infrastructure Department, with the Home Affairs Department offering $21,000 to the Warrnambool Golf Club for community security upgrades.

The Foreign Affairs and Trade Department also spent $22,000 to assist television comedy series The Fair Way, set on the Australian and Korean professional golf circuit.

Labor senator Kimberley Kitching said the Government could not find money to fix the cladding crisis, but had cash for golf.

“The government is stuck in a bunker of doubled federal government debt, while shafting everyone from pensioners to state governments, yet finds millions for golf courses,” she said.

“It’s the biggest joke since Happy Gilmore.”

A spokeswoman for Mr McCormack defended the spending, saying it was an appropriate use of taxpayer funds.

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering high-quality community sporting infrastructure to support active lifestyles, social connection, spending and visitation in our regions,” she said.

Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack defended his approval of $11 million in taxpayer money to be spent on upgrading golf courses.

Mr McCormack said the programs were open to any community group or organisation whose application fits the guidelines of the program.

“Through it and other regional grants programs, the Government is committed to supporting vital infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies,” he said.