Albanese concedes $6m golf club grant in his electorate was not to contain ‘raw sewage’

A $6 million federal grant to a Sydney golf club—initially justified as a measure to prevent sewage pollution—has come under scrutiny as part of a $560 million invitation-only funding scheme. Critics argue the program disproportionately directed money toward projects in seats held by the governing Labor party, raising questions about transparency and political favoritism. The prime minister has acknowledged a misstatement about the grant’s purpose, adding to concerns over how the funds were allocated. With election promises and local projects at stake, the scheme’s fairness and accountability are now under closer examination.

Grant part of $560m invitation-only scheme transparency advocates say largely funded projects in Labor-held seatsFollow our Australian politics live blog for latest updatesGet our daily political email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has admitted he got it wrong after telling parliament a $6m grant to a golf club in his electorate was to stop “raw sewage” going into the nearby river.The grant given to Marrickville golf club in Sydney’s inner-west is under scrutiny as part of a larger $560m invitation-only grants scheme, which transparency advocates say largely funded projects promised at the 2025 election in Labor-held seats.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...