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SENATOR THE HON JAMES McGRATH

SHADOW SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND CITIES

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS

SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

MEDIA RELEASE

LABOR CAUGHT OUT RORTING ANOTHER INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS PROGRAM

27 October 2026

Senate estimates have revealed a second infrastructure grants program has been used

to funnel funding into Labor-held seats.

Under questioning from Shadow Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Senator

James McGrath, the government refused to deny that 23 out of 25 projects funded

under the $150 million urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP) were in Laborheld seats.

According to analysis by Senator McGrath, the remaining two projects were located in

seats held by Independents.

“Labor has been caught out again funnelling money into their seats, in a clear case of

pork-barrelling,” Senator McGrath said.

“The Prime Minister and his Infrastructure Minister should hang their heads in shame.”

The uPPP ‘seeks to support transformative investment in urban precincts based on the

principles of unifying urban places, growing economies and serving communities.’

According to evidence provided by Department officials at senate estimates on Monday

night, projects located within ‘Greater Capital Statistical Areas’, as defined by the ABS,

were eligible to apply.

The Coalition holds 13 seats in these locations, including fast-growing urban regions

lacking in community infrastructure.

“Labor is kidding themselves by justifying this as one big coincidence,” Senator

McGrath said.
“More than a dozen Coalition electorates were eligible for funding under this program

and out of 25, zero received funding.

“The Prime Minister likes to preach about accountability, and transparency yet he is

happy to continue on with this blatant rorting. It’s shameful.”

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ENDS

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