Of 28 projects considered a “moderate” risk,10 were due to political connections. Crakanthorp accounted for several of those,with the review finding he received campaign support from connections in four of the nine organisations associated with his nominated projects.

One project nominated by Crakanthorp was WWYW Australia. The organisation,established to combat sexual violence,is run by Williams,who caused a storm in April last year aftershe accused Anthony Albanese of lying at a rally.

Emails obtained through the parliamentary call for papers show bureaucrats in the Premier’s Department seeking additional documentation from WWYW on August 27,including bank accounts and an Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) number.

It prompted an outburst from Williams,who said:“This grant was given to us on the terms that we prompted (sic) that Labor government getting into parliament,both Tim Crakethorp (sic) and Chris Minns.”

“I have concerns about us losing this money,looking like we were falsely used to get into parliament.”

In a statement,the organisation said it had “expected to receive $20,000” from the grants scheme but was “later advised[the funds] were relinquished as WWYW did not meet the eligibility requirements” outlined in the grants program.

“WWYW confirms that no money has been received from the LSCA,Chris Minns or Tim Crakanthorp,” the statement read.

The organisation did not address questions relating to the allegations contained in Williams’ email. But Williams and WWYW have repeatedly praised Crakanthorp publicly. In a social media post 18 days before the election,the group thanked Crakanthorp for “your inspiring leadership and for having the uncomfortable conversations with us and Newcastle about sexual violence”.

Williams handed out how-to-vote material for Crakanthorp on election day in 2023,the MP confirmed to the Premier’s Department,emails showed. Three other organisations the MP nominated for $190,000 in funding also undertook volunteer work for Crakanthorp ahead of the election,which he disclosed previously.

Crakanthorp has repeatedly praised Williams,including on social media and in Newcastle Labor Party branch meetings. He nominated her for Newcastle’s Local Woman of the Year award before the 2023 election,which she won,and attended the NSW Woman of the Year awards with her,labelling her “unstoppable”.

Appointed skills minister after the state election,Crakanthorp was sacked from cabinet less than five months later after he failed to disclose “substantial” private family holdings. A subsequent Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation was eventually terminated after concluding there wasno reasonable prospect of finding corruption.

Graham did not respond to questions about whether the government had investigated Williams’ allegations but said the organisation being ruled ineligible was “evidence of the system working”.

“The guidelines for the program are very strict,” he said.

Opposition special minister of state spokesman Chris Rath said the LSCA funding appeared “conditional”,calling on Crakanthorp to apologise.

“It appears Labor candidates implied their funding was conditional,provided in exchange for supporting the Labor Party to form government. If this grant isn’t an example of pork-barrelling,I’m not sure what is,” he said.

“Labor was unashamedly buying votes in the lead-up to the March 2023 election. This community group assumed they had to support Labor in order to access grant funding.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights.Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.