Anne Webster backs Bridget McKenzie in sports grants row

MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has thrown her support behind embattled senator Bridget McKenzie as calls intensify for the deputy National Party leader to stand down over a controversial sports grants program.

Senator McKenzie is engulfed by a growing controversy surrounding a $100 million sports grants program after a damning auditor-general’s report found the former sports minister splashed most of the cash in marginal seats ahead of last year’s federal election.

The Auditor-General found 73 per cent of the projects Senator McKenzie approved were not recommended by Sport Australia.

• THE CONVERSATION: So the government gave sports grants to marginal seats. What happens now?

More than $1 million was allocated to Mallee – 4.8 per cent of total Victorian funding – with Dr Webster last week saying “you would be hard pushed to say we were pork-barrelled in any way”.

Dr Webster on Wednesday said Senator McKenzie had been a “champion of sport” during her time in the portfolio.

“I absolutely stand by her,” Dr Webster said.

“I had the opportunity both through the campaign and since the election to visit many sporting clubs and her passion for every sport was very clear.

“She inspired me.

“Her motivation to get more people more active, more often, in Australia is to be commended.”

Dr Webster said the National Audit Office had made recommendations to ensure grants processes were strengthened but that everything had been done “above board”.

“It’s appropriate that we have great transparency and scrutiny over processes, which is why Sport Australia and the government are working together to make sure that that does take place,” she said.

Pressure continued to mount on Senator McKenzie after it was revealed on Wednesday she had allocated almost $40,000 to a clay shooting club at Wangaratta where she became a member.

“I’ve spoken to Bridget about this and the decision for the Wangaratta club to be receiving its $36,000 was made a month prior to when the announcement was made, which was when she went to the club,” Dr Webster said.

“And that’s when they offered her a free membership, which was valued at under $300, which meant it did not need to be disclosed.

“I have no issue with it at all.”

Dr Webster also dismissed any fears the clubs that received funding might have to give it back should illegalities be found in the grants process.

“The $50,000 that Red Cliffs Golf Club received to upgrade its watering facilities and the ($8700 for) Mildura West Cricket Club to do their fencing is very safe, along with the other nine grants that were allocated across Mallee,” she said.

“I have no anxiety at all about those grants being continued and for them to go ahead, if they haven’t already completed the works.

“We as politicians want to see the best outcomes for our communities and that’s why I’m in this role.

“I want to see our communities thrive and sports clubs are an essential component of our community life and the vibrancy of the communities within Mallee.

“I’m really more than excited to see these projects all come to fruition and for our communities to benefit.”

Senior ministers are rallying around Senator McKenzie, who has refused to apologise.

Nationals frontbencher David Littleproud said there had been “a lot of hysteria” around the so-called “sports rorts” scandal.

“We’ve gone further to ensure that the Attorney-General looks through the legalities but there’s a lot of stuff swirling around,” he said.

“Before we jump to conclusions, we need to be fair. We live in a fair country.

“We need to work through this in a calm, methodical way and get the facts out.”

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese renewed calls for Senator McKenzie to leave the ministry.

“This is a rort. Bridget McKenzie must resign – and if she won’t, Scott Morrison must sack her,” he said.

— with AAP