Albanese says ABC ‘should do better’ after it revealed his membership of golf club given $6m grant
News Source
•Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:44:29 GMT
📰 What Happened
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he did not know he was a member of a golf club that received a $6 million government grant. The Marrickville Golf Club is in his own Sydney electorate of Grayndler. The money came from a $560 million invitation-only grants scheme that mostly funded projects in Labor-held seats.
Albanese told ABC TV the honorary membership was issued 15 years ago without his knowledge. 'I haven't been in there for years,' he said. He accused the ABC of inappropriate reporting and said the broadcaster should do better. The ABC says his office did not answer its questions about the membership or the grant.
🔍 The Backstory
The grants scheme was promised by Labor at the 2025 election. Critics say invitation-only rules let governments reward friendly seats with little public scrutiny. Albanese had not declared the honorary membership in his register of interests.
The Coalition has used the story to pressure the government. Tanya Plibersek has denied any improper Labor conduct over the grant. The affair has sparked fresh calls for more transparent grant rules. It shows how even a small perk, like a free club membership, becomes a problem when public money is involved.
🎯 Why It Matters
This is public money, so voters should see exactly how it is handed out. Invitation-only grants make people wonder whether politics decides who gets funded. Trust in government depends on rules that are open and fair.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he did not know he was a member of a golf club that received a $6 million government grant. The Marrickville Golf Club is in his own Sydney electorate of Grayndler. The money came from a $560 million invitation-only grants scheme that mostly funded projects in Labor-held seats.
Albanese told ABC TV the honorary membership was issued 15 years ago without his knowledge. 'I haven't been in there for years,' he said. He accused the ABC of inappropriate reporting and said the broadcaster should do better. The ABC says his office did not answer its questions about the membership or the grant.
The grants scheme was promised by Labor at the 2025 election. Critics say invitation-only rules let governments reward friendly seats with little public scrutiny. Albanese had not declared the honorary membership in his register of interests.
The Coalition has used the story to pressure the government. Tanya Plibersek has denied any improper Labor conduct over the grant. The affair has sparked fresh calls for more transparent grant rules. It shows how even a small perk, like a free club membership, becomes a problem when public money is involved.
This is public money, so voters should see exactly how it is handed out. Invitation-only grants make people wonder whether politics decides who gets funded. Trust in government depends on rules that are open and fair.