Coalition accuses Labor of steering $560 million safety grants to its own seats
The opposition says most of a $560 million grant program for CCTV and lighting was allocated to electorates held by Labor before the 2025 election, prompting a Greens-led Senate inquiry.
A $560 million Strengthening Community Safety grant program funded 20 CCTV and lighting upgrades, 17 of which were in seats Labor controlled before the May 2025 election. The Coalition highlights that the remaining grants went to marginal Coalition seats like Deakin, Menzies, and former Labor-won seats such as Dickson and Petrie, as well as to independent-held Kennedy. Labor argues the spending follows long-standing precedent for election-commitment projects, distinguishing it from competitive tender grants that were allegedly misused by the previous government.
The Greens have launched a Senate inquiry into the fund, set to deliver findings by mid-November. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected claims of wrongdoing, saying he only learned of an undeclared honorary golf-club membership last week and has declined it. The debate underscores accusations of pork-barrelling on both sides of the political divide.
Why it matters
It reveals how grant funding may be used to influence election outcomes and raises questions about transparency in public spending.
How this story developed
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