Independent Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines has called for an overhaul of Commonwealth grants programs following new analysis raising concerns about the political distribution of more than $560 million in community infrastructure funding.

Analysis by the Centre for Public Integrity, released Tuesday, found funding through the Government’s $560 million Local and Major Community Infrastructure Program (MLCIP) was heavily concentrated in a small number of marginal and Labor-held federal electorates.

Dr Haines said the findings reinforced concerns she raised in Parliament after local organisations asked how they could access funding through the program.

“This is more than $560 million of taxpayers’ money, yet communities across Australia weren’t given a genuine opportunity to put forward projects and compete fairly for funding.

“This isn’t about whether these projects are worthwhile, it’s about whether every community gets a fair shot at funding for projects that matter locally.

“Election should not be the selection. Public money should go where there is genuine community need and demonstrated merit, not political advantage.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to wonder whether their local sporting club, community organisation or council misses out because their electorate wasn’t politically useful.”

Dr Haines said major parties had been given a free pass on pork barrelling for too long and stronger rules were needed.

“Australians are increasingly fed up with self-serving political establishment, and pork barrelling only further undermines trust in government and our democracy.

“Political parties should not be able to use taxpayers’ money to buy votes.

“Community need should come before political need.”

Dr Haines said grants programs should have open application processes, transparent merit-based assessment and independent parliamentary oversight – reforms she sought through her End Pork Barrelling Bill in 2024.

“These safeguards won’t stop governments investing in local infrastructure. They’ll make sure funding is allocated fairly, transparently and in the public interest.

“I’ll always fight hard for the projects Indi needs – like every MP does for their electorate.

“But I want those projects to win because they stack up on their merits and deliver community benefit.

“Those are the rules I want to see apply to every government, regardless of who is in Government.”

ENDS