Spoil sports for Corio
CORANGAMITE received more than double the funding of its socially disadvantaged neighbour under a controversial federal sports grants scheme.
A politics expert has labelled the disparity “definitely unfair” to the ultra-safe Labor seat of Corio.
Six grants, worth more than $1.3 million, were awarded to sports clubs in Corangamite, Victoria’s most marginal federal seat, according to an analysis of data on the Sport Australia website. Three, worth $569,000, went to Corio.
The Australian National Audit Office found the 2018-19 Community Sport Infrastruc- c ture program was biased towards marginal Coalition seats.
The Morrison government is accused of using the program to sandbag marginal seats in the 2019 election.
Deakin University politics expert Geoff Robinson said the handling of the scheme was “problematic”.
“It should be objective but it’s pretty obvious that hasn’t been the case here,” Dr Robinson said.
“Co “Corangamite maybe has more active clubs but there’s more objective social need in Corio. It’s definitely unfair to Corio.”
Corio MP and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles urged sporting clubs in Geelong whose grant applications to the scheme had failed to contact his office.
“According to the Government’s handling of this, if you’re a sports club in the Corio electorate, you don’t meet Scott Morrison’s criteria of being in a marginal seat.
How unfair is that?” Mr Marles said.
A total of 2056 applications were received, according to the audit, with 684 grants totalling about $100 million awarded.
Liberal senator and former Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson hit back at criticism.
“I am very proud of the $500,000 our government has delivered for Geelong Soccer and Sports Club and cannot believe that Mr Marles has refused to support this decision,” she said.
“In contrast to Corio, Corangamite encompasses a vast geographical area made up of many towns and small communities, all of which need funding support.”
with the Herald Sun
CORANGAMITE MAYBE HAS MORE ACTIVE CLUBS BUT THERE’S MORE OBJECTIVE SOCIAL NEED IN CORIO.
IT’S DEFINITELY UNFAIR TO CORIO.” DEAKIN UNIVERSITY POLITICS EXPERT GEOFF ROBINSON