The government is being grilled over its alleged "pork barrelling" of the Wagga electorate, which received millions of dollars following the resignation of disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire.
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A $255,000 Adelong funding announcement was this month the subject of a NSW parliamentary inquiry, which is investigating whether the government tried to "buy back" the seat of Wagga.
In other news:
The Adelong announcement was personally made by Premier Gladys Berejiklian on August 17, 2018 - shortly after Mr Maguire's resignation and just before the Wagga byelection.
The money was taken from the Stronger Communities Fund, of which 95 per cent was given to Coalition-held electorates and contested seats such as Wagga.
Despite the millions in grants, the seat ended up being won by independent candidate Joe McGirr, who said the grants raised serious questions about the government's integrity.
"People expect that the allocation of funding is open and fair, and I think what this inquiry has shown is that there are question marks about that," Dr McGirr said.
"Obviously politicians advocate for their electorate - that's their role - but I think people question it when decisions seem to be made for purely political motives."
However, Dr McGirr said the sudden inflow of funding had done a great deal of good in the Wagga electorate, claiming it had been neglected during its years as a rusted-on seat.
"Adelong, like many of our rural communities, is certainly in need of funding and I think has missed out in the past because it's been considered safe," Dr McGirr said.
His Liberal party rival for the 2018 byelection was Snowy Valleys councillor Julia Ham, who was endorsed by the Premier in the lead-up to the vote.
Cr Ham said she may not have won the election, but that the region was still better off now that it was no longer a safe seat.
"The Wagga electorate is now a marginal seat. As always with a byelection, it attracted more attention - but with any election, the key is always to look at what is being delivered for the electorate, and who can help make sure that the community's needs are heard," she said.
"What was promised at the byelection is, bit by bit, being delivered by the Liberal government. This is very pleasing to see."
The Premier did not respond to The Daily Advertiser's request for comment. However, a NSW government spokesman said the Adelong funding was within the rules.
"All funding allocations followed established guidelines. To suggest otherwise shows a lack of understanding of government funding processes," he said.
"All expenditure under the Stronger Communities fund was authorised by the chief executive of the Office of Local Government, or the Minister for Local Government."
Ms Berejiklian has refused to face the parliamentary inquiry, but on Wednesday Deputy Premier John Barilaro agreed to go. Mr Barilaro, who has previously referred to himself as "Pork Barilaro", said the government had nothing to hide.
He will be facing the inquiry in February next year.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
