Fleurieu sports clubs have been winners and losers from the federal government's use of community sport infrastructure grants to boost its chances of winning the last election, in May 2019.

A novelty cheque for $127K, presented to the Yankalilla Bowling Club during the election campaign, sparked an auditor-general’s inquiry into the handling of the program by the then federal Sports Minister, Bridget McKenzie. The cheque was presented by the Liberal candidate for Mayo, Georgina Downer, instead of the sitting member of parliament, as is usual for community grants.  

The results of the inquiry, published earlier this month, say grants under the $100M scheme have not been subject to appropriate assessment or given to projects considered by Sport Australia to have the most merit.

State MP Leon Bignell has weighed into the ongoing ‘sports rort’ debate with a letter to the Prime Minister, demanding the McLaren Football Club receive the $50 000 they applied for as part of the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program.

The letter states the club’s submission was ranked 13^th under Sport Australia’s merit rankings, scoring 88 points out of 100. Mr Bignell says the club has been ripped off by not receiving a grant when many lower rated projects were given funding.

Responding on social media, a club spokesperson thanked Mr Bignell for his support, saying that the funds were vital to improve facilities for junior and senior female and male players, as well as umpires, at the McLaren Vale Sports Complex. 

Other Fleurieu sporting clubs to miss out include the Goolwa District Pony Club, which scored 82 out of 100. The club wants $40,000 to replace ageing shed and water tank facilities.

Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie says the clubs who have missed out on funding despite high eligibility are justifiably angry after volunteers put in hours of work on applications that they believed would be assessed on merit.

“Election promises with future funding for marginal seats is one thing, competitive grant schemes should be just that - merit-based and transparent,” she says.

“It needs to be stressed that this funding source was a competitive grant scheme, not an election promise made at the discretion of a Party and secured with a post-election win."