Got this form (below) today. See if you can spot the bullshit.
2nd par. ‘This primary gives members of the Hobart community WHO ARE NOT Labor Party members a say about who should represent them as Labor candidates.’
Then…’YES! I would like to REGISTER AS A LABOR SUPPORTER and have my say…’
• Meanwhile … Liberals score rare cash grab
A LIBERAL MP has managed to tease money from the Premier’s Sundry Grants Fund for the first time in years.
Member for Denison Elise Archer obtained a $3000 grant to help North Hobart Football Club build a barbecue trailer.
Premier’s Department figures showed the $1.5 million fund overwhelmingly favoured Labor members, who were applicants for 128 of 137 grants made in 2010-11.
Opposition members traditionally do not apply because of a low success rate.
Premier Lara Giddings was the most successful applicant for funds, with 75 grants approved, followed by speaker Michael Polley with 15.
Greens MP Tim Morris had one grant approved and independent MLCs received seven.
Payouts made by the fund varied from $500 towards the Pollie Pedal cycling event to $150,000 for a new bowls club green and $100,000 for flood relief in Pakistan.
The Opposition has called the fund a political slush fund.
Auditor-General Mike Blake this year found the fund was not being misused despite a funding spike before the last state election.
But he found guidelines were inadequate, approval processes did not include objective assessment, eligibility criteria were informal and monitoring was not common.
Ms Giddings axed the fund in the State Budget and replaced it with two new funds.
“The Premier’s Sundry Grant program was established to provide small-grant support to many worthwhile activities,” she said.
