An inquiry into the federal government’s new regional development funding program has come up with 24 recommendations, which aim to ensure money is spent on genuine regional projects.
It comes following the release of a scathing report by the Australian National Audit office last year.
It claimed grants through the Howard government’s Regional Partnerships Program had been handed out without due process and against department advice and in Coalition seats.
One of the recommendations is that ministers be obliged to record the reasons behind any decision to approve funding.
Others include for-profit applications be excluded from grants, and there be more representation by local government.
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