Dominic Perrottet announces ‘zero tolerance’ of pork barrelling after damning report

The NSW Premier has declared a ‘zero tolerance policy’ for pork barrelling after it was revealed 96 per cent of a multimillion dollar NSW grants scheme went to Coalition seats.

The NSW Premier has declared a “zero tolerance policy” for pork barrelling after it was revealed 96 per cent of a multimillion dollar NSW grants scheme went to Coalition seats.

A report from Auditor-general Margaret Crawford released on Tuesday revealed that 96 per cent of the $250 million Stronger Communities Fund - which was overseen by former premier Gladys Berejiklian - was allocated to projects based in Coalition-held seats.
Ms Berejiklian has previously conceded the money was used to try to shore up support in Coalition seats before the last election, but claimed the practice was “not unique” to her government.

Ms Berejiklian has previously conceded the money was used to try to shore up support in Coalition seats.

In her report to parliament, Ms Crawford said the scheme‘s guidelines “lacked the necessary information to safeguard against biased or subjective assessment” and the allocation of funding was “likely to have been ­deliberate”.

On Wednesday Premier Dominic Perrottet took a hard stance against the practice, declaring “agreed” with the report‘s findings and had “zero tolerance” for pork barrelling under his leadership.
He said that ministers supervising grant programs in future would be “held accountable”.

“There is zero tolerance from my government for any of that behaviour, I’ve said that from the outset,” Mr Perrottet said.

Mr Perrottet said ministers would be held “accountable” if they were found to engage in the practice. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“It‘s the role of ministers to take accountability and responsibility for the decisions that they made and they will. They will now be held accountable to me as premier and also to the people of NSW in relation to these decisions.”

Mr Perrottet defended grant programs as “important” in supporting communities but said correct ”processes” would be expected to be followed in future.
“Inappropriate allocation of grants represents where process is not followed, and as I‘ve said, every single one of my ministers who has administrative control over those grant programs will be held accountable in a transparent way to the people of our state.”

It comes as the Premier today announced expressions of interest were open for the construction and development of the Hunter St stop and an accompanying precinct on the City Metro line.

The new station will connect city light rail and train services, help “take pressure” off busy Town Hall and Wynyard stations and link to the Metro West, allowing commuters to travel from Parramatta to the CBD in 20 minutes.