Government grants
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State Parliament
‘Vehicle for buying votes’: The next test for Labor’s controversial $37m election fund
The trouble-plagued Local Small Commitment Allocation program will be audited by the NSW auditor-general and face an upper house inquiry.
- by Max Maddison
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Secret review reveals conflicts of interest in Labor’s $37 million community grants scheme
Two projects under Labor’s controversial grants program were kiboshed by the Premier’s Department over “unacceptable” conflict of interest concerns.
- by Max Maddison
Inner West Council rejected the state’s housing plan. The PM gave them $2.6 million to do it again
Anthony Albanese has given his home council millions to redo housing plans already drawn up by the state Labor government.
- by Michael Koziol
This north shore council was ordered to repay $36 million for unbuilt park. Instead, it wants to sue
An outraged Philip Ruddock, the Liberal mayor of Hornsby, said he was “as disappointed as I am flabbergasted” by the government’s decision to recall the funding.
- by Michael Koziol
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State Parliament
This Sydney council has to hand back ‘pork-barrelling millions’ for park that was never built
The grants program run by the former Coalition government went predominantly to Liberal and National electorates. Now one council’s been ordered to return the money.
- by Alexandra Smith
PM warned against ‘slippery slope’ of picking business winners with taxpayer billions
Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood said the government’s push to subsidise manufacturing risks creating businesses that rely on handouts. And her predecessors agree.
- by David Crowe and Shane Wright
Australia invented solar panels. Now 99 per cent of ours are made in China
Despite the government’s $1 billion announcement this week, Australian solar manufacturing could disappear as several companies said they have already been approached to move offshore.
- by Mike Foley
How a change in the description of a coastal town will cost a state $200 million
A change in the definition of Coffs Harbour will cost NSW millions and other states win or lose on similar technicalities. These are the mysteries of the GST allocation system.
- by Shane Wright
Analysis
GST
The GST system is broken and Scott Morrison’s fix has only made things worse
Every Australian’s life is affected by how the GST is allocated. But the latest carve-up of cash shows the entire system is broken and needs fixing now.
- by Shane Wright
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Labor MPs and candidates supported grants to organisations despite personal links
Labor gave each of its 93 candidates $400,000 to allocate to local community organisations. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were promised to projects with direct links to some MPs and candidates.
- by Max Maddison
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Art
MCA weighs up end to free admission in face of budget crisis
Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art has appealed for a government funding boost as it contemplates bringing back public admission fees.
- by Linda Morris
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/government-grants-1nd7