A club in Scott Morrison's electorate was given $50,000 for a building that had already been built — and the Prime Minister's office was told about it before he attended a media event at the ground.
Key points:
- The Government decided to give the Sans Souci Football Club $50,000 for a building that was about to be opened by the state Liberal MP
- The club was awarded the grant on April 3, 2019, but the local council said the project was officially opened on April 6
- Guidelines for the program stated projects that had commenced work were ineligible
Although guidelines for the sports grants program stated projects that had commenced works were ineligible, the Sans Souci Football Club facility — located in Mr Morrison's electorate — was about to be opened by the local state MP when the Sport Minister decided to award it money.
A spokesperson from the Prime Minister's office (PMO) said the project had been assessed by Sport Australia as eligible and it was the responsibility of the applicants and Sport Australia to ensure projects met the criteria.
Hundreds of pages of emails have been tabled in the Senate providing unprecedented insight into the $100 million pre-election sports grants cash splash and the $150 million Female Facilities and Water Safety Stream program.
They include an email between the Prime Minister's and then-sport minister Bridget McKenzie's offices prior to the Sans Souci media event.
"It is worth noting that the club initially missed out on the first two rounds of funding under the Community Sport Infrastructure grant program," the email stated.
"The club was subsequently funded in round three.
"During the intervening period, the club has fundraised and the project is almost completed."
