Labor has officially admitted to rorting the system. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has confirmed that Labor Party head office, not the department, ran the process behind the Albanese Government’s $560 million community grants scheme. King’s own words: “Absolutely, it’s an election commitment process, of course that is done through party machinery, not through government machinery.” The mask has completely slipped. Out of $560 million in funding, a staggering $409 million went straight to Labor held electorates through a closed, completely non competitive process. 45 electorates weren't even invited to apply. The blatant pork barrelling includes a $6 million taxpayer funded grant for the Marrickville Golf Club right in Anthony Albanese’s own electorate. The department itself has confirmed they had zero role in selecting these projects, stating the government didn't even seek their advice. It was entirely dictated by party machinery. Constitutional law expert Professor Anne Twomey has slammed the scheme as a farce and a form of “grey corruption”, stating: “If federal politicians want to win elections by making promises about swimming pools, golf clubs in their electorates, then they need lessons in integrity.” This is a deep betrayal of Australian taxpayers. Funding decisions must be based on merit and community need, not outside party bosses calling the shots to secure votes.