A Senate inquiry is currently examining a $560 million government grants program that was used to fund various projects promised by the Labor Party during the 2025 election. Among the projects under scrutiny is a $6 million grant allocated to the Marrickville Golf Club, which is situated in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate.

Anne Twomey, a professor emerita of constitutional law at the University of Sydney, submitted a formal assessment to the inquiry. In her submission, Twomey characterized the grant as an example of “grey corruption” and described the broader invitation-only grants scheme as a “farce.” Her critique centers on the lack of transparency in how these funds were distributed, noting that a significant portion of the grants were directed toward Labor-held electorates.

While the government maintains that these grants fulfill election commitments, critics argue that the process lacks the necessary oversight and competitive bidding requirements typically associated with public funding. The inquiry is tasked with determining whether the selection process for these projects adhered to appropriate standards of governance or if the invitation-only nature of the scheme allowed for political favoritism. The Prime Minister’s office has not yet provided a detailed rebuttal to the specific allegations of “grey corruption” raised by Twomey, though the inquiry is expected to continue gathering evidence from various stakeholders regarding the distribution of the $560 million fund.