Auditor-General urged to investigate funding deal in Jason Clare’s seat of Blaxland

The auditor-general has been asked to investigate the federal government’s $3.35m injection into an aged care home established by a Western Sydney mosque publicly backing Jason Clare.

An aged-care home established by a Western Sydney mosque secured a special multimillion-dollar federal funding deal shortly before the mosque publicly endorsed Labor cabinet minister Jason Clare, who faces the first serious challenge for the seat of Blaxland in 18 years – from an independent backed by new political movements The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter.

The pro-Palestine groups want to plunge the ALP into minority government by turfing out Mr Clare and fellow high-flyer Tony Burke in the neighbouring division of Watson, as well as Maria Vamvakinou in the Melbourne electorate of Calwell.

Mr Clare comfortably won Blaxland at the 2022 election, just as he has ever since becoming the member in 2007. Three years ago he secured victory on first preferences with a massive 55 per cent of the primary vote.

But this time round pharmacist and Cumberland City councillor Ahmed Ouf is aiming to push the Education Minister all the way.

The endorsement of Gallipoli Mosque at Auburn will help Jason Clare in his bid to retain Blaxland. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter have called on the 30 per cent-plus of the Blaxland population who practice Islam to get behind Councillor Ouf.

Which is why the endorsement of Gallipoli Mosque at Auburn is so valuable to Mr Clare.

It’s understood the affiliated Gallipoli Home Aged Care facility next door was notified by the Department of Health in February that it would receive $3.35 million of urgently needed funding.

Gallipoli Home’s publicly available financial statements show a loss of $3.2m last financial year — and that its liabilities exceed assets by a similar amount — following large increase in workers compensation premiums.

Clare corflutes appeared on the mosque’s fence on March 16 after Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation government relations adviser Enver Yasar contacted the Blaxland MP’s office and asked for them to be put up.

Two days later Mr Clare announced the financial lifeline, declaring he “was pleased to work with Gallipoli Home Aged Care to fight for this funding”. He noted it is the first aged-care facility in Australia “centred on the needs of Muslim elders.”

Mr Yasar told this masthead that “mosque management gave permission for the signs to be placed” on the fence.

He is also a Cumberland City councillor, representing Labor. He was previously an electorate officer for former NSW Labor leader Luke Foley.

“The mosque supports Jason Clare as he has consistently engaged positively with our community and represented its interests effectively,” Mr Yasar said.

Mr Ouf said he was “genuinely happy our community is finally receiving the attention and funding it has long been denied.

“But when it follows campaign posters, people notice,” he said.

“Labor’s in panic mode, throwing money at Blaxland like it’ll buy loyalty. After 18 years of neglect, this last-minute blitz is too little, too late.

“I’ve asked the institution to display my posters too, because fairness, not political deals, should guide community engagement,” Mr Ouf added.

Enver Yasar with Jason Clare and state Labor MP Lynda Voltz in January 2025. Picture: Lynda Voltz MP's Facebook page

His signs have not been displayed so far.

Mr Ouf said he was concerned about transparency.

“Mr Clare must come clean: was this funding about care or about campaigning?” Mr Ouf said.

Mr Clare’s spokeswoman said assistance “for the Gallipoli Home Aged Care was not conditional on the mosque endorsing” the MP.

Shadow Health and Aged Care Minister Anne Ruston told this masthead the financial injection was “very concerning.”

Senator Ruston questioned why the government had provided a lifeline to Gallipoli Home when 78 other facilities had been allowed to shut their doors since Anthony Albanese became Prime Minister.

On Monday, she wrote to Auditor-General Caralee McLiesh about the payment.

While The Daily Telegraph has not seen the senator’s letter, it’s understood she has raised concerns about whether the money was provided in line with legislative and policy requirements.

In the response to her move, the government told this masthead the cash for Gallipoli Home came from a fund designed specifically to avoid untimely aged-care closures, known as the Market Adjustment Program (MAP).

“The Department of Health and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission undertook an independent assessment and recommended this funding to the government through the MAP,” the spokeswoman said.