Wilkie denies funding deal

Clark grants named in ‘sports rorts’ leak

INDEPENDENT MP for Clark Andrew Wilkie has been caught up in the “sports rorts” affair but strenuously denies any involvement or that any of the $60 million dealt out prior to the last election is now tainted.

An email from former federal sports minister Bridget McKenzie’s office has referenced grants handed out in Clark prior to the last election.

Mr Wilkie handed out a number of federal grants to sporting clubs and community groups before the election – nearly all made without a representative of the Federal Government in attendance.

Channel 10 news revealed a leaked email from Ms McKenzie’s office linking Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office with the grants affair prior to it becoming public via the Australian National Audit Office – something Mr Morrison previously said his office had no knowledge of.

In the email it stated the

PM’s office had asked the Sports Minister’s office to make adjustments to some grants programs.

It did not name the projects, but named electorates, including the then seat of Denison (now Clark), which Mr Wilkie was never in doubt of losing to either major party.

Mr Wilkie, currently in England on a self-funded trip with National MP George Christensen as co-chairs of the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group, said he had never given the Government any assurances or promises before the last election to secure the grants.

“Yes Clark did receive a number of grants before the election, but these were almost entirely from other programs and a dividend for me lobbying hard, making the case on merit, and maintaining good access and professional relationships with both sides of politics,” Mr Wilkie said.

“I did not do any deals with the Government for funding and I certainly did not make any guarantee on supply and confidence.”

He said the reference to Clark in the email could have been to avoid doubling-up on funding from other programs, and it was up to the Government to decide who announced the grants.

“Eventually Clark received only about 8 per cent of Tasmania’s sports program allocation, less than any other Tasmanian electorate including Labor’s Franklin,” he said.