The Coalition awarded almost $1.4 billion in grants through its regional development program in the lead-up to the federal election, with about half of the funding not subject to a competitive tender process.
The spending included grants made through the Stronger Communities program, a political slush fund which gives every lower-house MP $150 thousand to spend on small community projects costing between $1,500 and $20,000.
Figures from the finance department show the value of regional development grants surged in the nine months before this year’s May election, with the $1.4 billion figure more than quadruple the amount granted in the corresponding period the year before.