The Auditor-General earlier this year releaseda damning report into the fund that was used in the run-up to the 2019 election to promise new car parks and upgrades near train stations at 47 sites.
Labor labelled the program a “rort” after an Auditor-General’s report found77 per cent of projects were in Coalition electorates. Many were promised in south-eastern Melbourne where senior ministers including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar faced serious challenges at the 2019 poll.
Giving evidence to a Senate inquiry into the controversial program on Monday,deputy Auditor-General Brian Boyd said a “marginal electorate list” - maintained by then Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge - was the starting point for the Commuter Car Park fund decisions.
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Mr Boyd said unlike other infrastructure projects,where the federal government worked with states or local councils,government MPs,Coalition senators responsible for Labor-held seats or endorsed Liberal candidates were canvassed for their own ideas.
“It started being initially termed as being the top 20 marginals,” he said.
“The key thing was to touch base with the top 20 marginals,either the member of the House of Representatives if the electorate was held by the Coalition,the relevant duty senator for other electorates and endorsed candidates in two other electorates to ask them what projects in your electorate do you think worthy of being put through this program.