Auditor to investigate Federation Fund grants Source: AAP | Published: Friday August 27 1:40:47 PM http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/19990827/A32236-1999Aug26.shtml The Auditor-General is to conduct an urgent inquiry into allegations the federal government misused its $1 billion Federation Fund. Pat Barratt today announced he would undertake a preliminary audit of a section of the fund, the $70 million Federation Cultural and Heritage Grant Project, which Labor claims was rorted to provide an election slush fund. "In view of the public interest issues raised, I have decided to conduct a preliminary examination of the administration of the Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects (FCHP) program," he said in a letter to opposition senate leader John Faulkner. "To ascertain whether a full audit of this aspect of the Federation Fund is warranted at this time." Labor says 16 projects, which were rated well below others that did not receive funding, were given funding at the direction of the government just before the October election. The government has refused to name the projects, prompting Labor allegations they were all in coalition marginal seats. Today's announcement comes just days after the government-controlled public accounts committee this week knocked back a recommendation for the Auditor-General to give high priority for an investigation of the fund. Senator Faulkner welcomed Mr Barratt's announcement. "We appreciate the speed with which the Auditor-General has responded to concerns about this program and look forward to the results of his investigation," he said. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
