MP Tara Moriarty denies “yelling” at senior department bureaucrat over $33 million government grant

A Minns government minister is alleged to have “yelled” at her own senior department bureaucrat, demanding a $33m grant for a sports hub in a Nationals electorate be returned.

NSW government minister Tara Moriarty has denied claims she “yelled” at a senior Labor bureaucrat while demanding the return of $33 million in regional funding for a Dubbo sports facility.

During Question Time on Tuesday, Opposition Education Minister Sarah Mitchell confronted Ms Moriarty over internal emails that alleged she yelled at a department official. The emails, released through a parliamentary order for papers, concern the cancellation of the Dubbo Sports Centre.

Responding in parliament, Ms Moriarty dismissed the claims.

“It’s hearsay from third-hand rumours of people I have never interacted with in my life. Don’t know these people, don’t know who is referred to in these emails, never met them,” she said.

Minister Tara Moriarty has denied allegations she “yelled” at a senior bureaucrat, demanding $33m be returned by a 5pm deadline.

The email alleges Ms Moriarty set a deadline for the NSW Office of Sport (OOS) to return $33 million to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development by 5pm on January 24, 2025.

The project, originally proposed by the Coalition at $4 million, ballooned to $48.6 million before its cancellation by Labor in December 2024. Ms Moriarty declared it “no longer viable” due to cost overruns, delays, and scope changes.

In a statement to The Daily Telegraph, a spokesman for Ms Moriarty said the $33 million was returned to relevant government agencies and would be reconsidered in the 2025-26 budget. Her spokesman described the Dubbo sports hub as a “ghost proposal”.

“In December last year, Minister Moriarty acted on advice that clearly stated the proposal did not meet the NSW Government’s Grants Administration guidelines, and Probity advice raised issues,” the spokesman said. “The NSW Government has not stopped a Dubbo sports facility; it has stopped a ghost proposal that failed to get going, was not feasible, and did not meet State guidelines.”

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said in a statement, the Minister needed to provide more details, and called for further investigation.

Ms Moriarty said the claims against her were “hearsay”. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“All staff and public servants need to be treated with respect, and we need Minister Moriarty to clarify exactly what has happened,” he said. “The suggestion is pretty strong that she yelled at somebody... the email chain is pretty definitive that she did.”

In a statement, Mr Saunders said the documents also revealed there was a viable option on the table for the Dubbo Sports Hub to proceed, with the PCYC putting forward a proposal to purchase and renovate an existing facility to replace the green field site at Charles Sturt University.

This plan had support from the Office of Sport, the Commercial Legal Team at DPIRD, and in-principle backing from Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper before Ms Moriarty revoked the funding.

“What these documents show is both departments acknowledged there was a path forward before Minister Moriarty seemingly went against all advice and pulled the plug,” Mr Saunders said.

“It’s further confirmation this decision was a political one, and it’s a cruel blow to our local basketball, gymnastics, and netball groups, as well as local kids who need somewhere to go.”

Premier Chris Minns addressed the issue, stating, “We’ve got an obligation to treat everyone with respect, particularly public servants. If there’s evidence of the contrary, we will take action immediately.”

Originally published as MP Tara Moriarty denies “yelling” at senior department bureaucrat over $33 million government grant