Senate wants answers over Mckenzie scandal

PRESSURE is building on embattled Nationals deputy leader Bridget Mckenzie to step down, as Senate crossbenchers confirmed they will unanimously back a Senate inquiry into the sports grants scandal.

Centre Alliance, One Nation and the Greens have now all confirmed they will back the inquiry, giving Labor the numbers for it to go ahead.

Senator Jacqui Lambie also backs the inquiry and personally texted the minister telling her to resign.

Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie said Senator Mckenzie should be made to explain herself before the probe.

“We would naturally like to hear from Senator Mckenzie with regards to the decision making,” Ms Sharkie said.

Nationals privately fear the minister will go if the inquiry goes ahead.

But senior Nationals minister David Littleproud backed in his boss, saying she was doing “a damn good job”.

The furore follows a damning report from the AuditorGeneral who found more than 60 per cent of sport clubs to receive grants under a $100 million program run by Senator Mckenzie were marginal seats targeted by the Coalition.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese yesterday said Senator Mckenzie’s position was “completely untenable”.

“There was no legal authority evident for the minister to be the approver,” he said.

“It’s clear the Prime Minister was very involved in this.”

Grants were awarded throughout Queensland including the Dawson electorate, which covers part of Townsville.

Of the $15 million in grants Queensland sporting clubs received, almost $10 million went to marginal seats, analysis has shown.