This looks very bad for the govt. The Minister for Environment and Morrison's handling of this during QT today was not convincing imo.
"Liberal MP and Environment Minister accused of handing out grants from a non-existent fund
By political reporter
Elise Scott
Posted about 2 hours ago
PHOTO: Chris Crewther made the announcements in three now-deleted Facebook posts. (Supplied)
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A Liberal MP has publicly awarded almost $40,000 of non-existent environment grants to community groups in a marginal Victorian seat.
Key points:
- Chris Crewther has deleted three Facebook posts announcing the grants "with Environment Minister Melissa Price".
- Minister Price forced to clarify the program wasn't open yet and no funds had been awarded
- Chris Crewther won Dunkley for the Liberals on 1.4 per cent, but redistributions mean the seat is now notionally Labor.
In several social media posts last month, the Member for Dunkley, Chris Crewther, announced grants of between $7,500 and $20,000 under the Community Environment Program.
The now-deleted posts say the announcements were made with, and include videos of, Environment Minister Melissa Price.
The posts attracted attention at Senate Estimates and led to Ms Price having to clarify that no grants had been awarded.
Under the program, organisations will be able to apply for a slice of $150,000 per electorate in grant funding for environmental initiatives, from next financial year.
But the Environment Department told Senate Estimates the program had not started and guidelines had not been written.
Assistant secretary Steve Costello confirmed funding would not be appropriated until next financial year.
MPs have been collecting expressions of interest for the $22 million program, which was announced in March.
In the three social media posts, Mr Crewther announced $20,000 to the South Eastern Centre for Sustainability, $10,000 to Down's Estate Community Project and $7,500 to FLOW (Friends of Langwarrin Outdoors and Waterways) under the program.
Mr Crewther refused to say why the posts had been deleted.
"If I am re-elected as the Member for Dunkley, these are some of the projects I identified that I would want to nominate under the Communities Environment Program once it opens," he said in a statement"
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/marginal-mp-hands-out-grants-from-non-existent-fund/10971106
