The former deputy premier John Barilaro’s office intervened to stop Labor-held electorates from receiving fast-tracked bushfire funding, a scathing new audit has revealed.
Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro and his office intervened in a $100 million bushfire funding program and changed the guidelines which resulted in Labor electorates missing out on emergency money.
Stage one of the program, jointly funded by the NSW and federal government, included 22 fast-tracked priority projects worth $107.8 million. The purpose of the projects was to “deliver immediate and significant economic impacts to high and moderate bushfire-impacted areas”. “It is important to note that most of the highest impacted LGAs were either wholly or primarily in electorates represented by Coalition members,” the report said.
The 2019-20 bushfires killed 26 people, destroyed 2476 homes and burnt 5.5 million hectares of the state. “What we call pork-barrelling is investment … I dare you to turn up to these communities and tell them why they don’t deserve these projects,” Barilaro told a parliamentary inquiry in 2021. “As treasurer during that period of time, [the government gave] $4 billion in support to help our communities get back on their feet. We’ve always made sure we get funding out the door as quickly as possible.”The Stronger Communities Grant Fund was a major issue for the government, with $250 million given to councils in Coalition-held electorates in the lead-up to the 2019 election and revelations that documents in Berejiklian’s office had been shredded.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Labor is changing the tune on arts fundingBy committing an extra $286 million over four years to revive the pandemic-stricken arts sector, the government is hoping for a wider audience.
Read more »
Labor signals commitment to big jump in tax-free superannuation capThis means that super account holders with balances over $1.7 million could benefit from delaying their retirement until July 1 to capitalise on the increased cap, which is set to jump to $1.9 million.
Read more »
Ley labels power price hike as 'another failure' by LaborSussan Ley has slammed the Albanese Government for 'wheeling out the same lame excuses' over increasing energy costs as Australian households are set to face higher gas bills from Tuesday.
Read more »
Labor has no fix for gas supply shortfall, says industryLabor has been accused by the gas industry of having no plan to address a stark competition regulator warning of a catastrophic gas shortage this decade.
Read more »
Labor backtracks on minimum wage for artistsArtists and performers in the creative industries will not be guaranteed a minimum wage under Labor’s new National Cultural Policy, despite Arts Minister Tony Burke having signalled last year that he supported such a move.
Read more »