Senate inquiry to investigate sports rorts scandal
A Senate inquiry will be established by Labor and the crossbench to probe the sports rorts scandal, run by former sports minister Bridget McKenzie, who has since resigned from her position as deputy Nationals leader.
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The sports rorts scandal looks set to drag on, with the establishment of a Senate inquiry into the $100 million scheme that was last month discredited by the Auditor General.
A Senate select committee will be established by Labor and the crossbench to examine the program administered by former sports minister Bridget McKenzie, who has since resigned from her position as deputy Nationals leader.
Community sporting clubs that missed out on grants are expected to be given a chance to speak as part of the investigation amid a push to see worthy clubs funded.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he would consider approving extra funding for projects recommended by Sport Australia, but rejected by Senator McKenzie.
“Funding these important infrastructure projects is and has been a priority of this government,” Mr Morrison said.
“I’ll be working with the treasurer … to see how we can provide further support for this important infrastructure that brings communities together.”
The inquiry will also look at the role of the prime minister and deputy prime minister’s offices in the program. “We’ll get to the bottom of what’s happened here and we’ll get some accountability, some transparency into this grants process to make sure this never happens again,” Labor sport spokesman Don Farrell said.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the inquiry would uncover who was involved in the “industrial-scale pork-barrelling”.
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“Scott Morrison should fund all projects recommended by Sport Australia under the Community Sport Infrastructure program,” he said.
“Australians want answers and sports clubs, councils and organisations that did the right thing deserve a government that does the right thing.”