The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) program was created after the 2019–20 bushfires. It is co-funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments. This audit assessed how effectively the Department of Regional NSW and Resilience NSW administered rounds one and two of the BLER program.

This report presents the evaluation findings from the Human Code project, an initiative run in Macedon Ranges by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH), and funded by VicHealth’s Healthier Masculinities Partnership Grants. The authors offer recommendations for future community partnerships seeking to promote gender transformative...

This consultation paper provides background to the review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Review) and context to the online survey questions.

this report presents the evaluation findings from the Mornington Peninsula Communities Creating Change (MPCCC) project, funded by VicHealth’s Healthier Masculinities Partnership Grants.

Pork-barrelling – misusing public money for political gain – is common in Australia. This report argues that while pork-barrelling may be legally grey, it is not good government. It wastes taxpayers’ money, undermines public trust in Australia's political leaders and institutions, and promotes a corrupt...

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the award of funding under the Building Better Regions Fund was effective as well as being consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines.

In 2020–21, Victorian councils distributed more than $45 million in grants to individuals, businesses and community groups. This audit examines if fraud controls over local government grants well-designed and operating as intended.

This report makes 19 recommendations to bring grants administration into line with best practice. In addition to feedback from 26 stakeholder groups, the review considered grants administration guidelines from comparable jurisdictions, best practice risk assessment and assurance frameworks, and the existing New South Wales policy...

This paper argues that there is an urgent need to create a grants administration framework that facilitates transparency and accountability.

This research paper provides a snapshot of the state of Victoria’s arts and entertainment sector between October 2021 and mid-January 2022, as restrictions eased in line with vaccination rates rising. It also explores how state and local governments in Victoria implemented policy and allocated finances...

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the award of funding under the Safer Communities Fund was effective and consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines.

This analysis, from the Australia Institute’s Democracy and Accountability Program, reveals that $3.9 billion spent by federal grants programs with ministerial discretion has clearly favoured marginal Coalition seats in particular, at the expense of safe Labor seats and, to a lesser extent, safe Coalition seats.

Members of Parliament regularly receive inquiries directly, or through their electorate offices, about funding opportunities for community groups. This guide is designed to assist MPs and their electorate office staff to respond to these requests.

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the Department of Health is effectively managing financial assistance under the Medical Research Future Fund.

This interim report outlines the current findings from the Senate inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin, with particular reference to the Industry Research and Development (Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program) Instrument 2021, which provides public money for oil and gas...

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the commuter car park projects within the Urban Congestion Fund. The audit finds that the approach to identifying and selecting commuter car park projects for funding commitment was not appropriate, as...

As Australia continues to experience the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and looks to economic recovery, this paper argues that the arts and entertainment sector should be a key target for economic support.

The objective of the audit was to examine whether the design and early delivery of the Australian government's $443.3 million partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has been effective.

This inquiry was initiated following evidence that Senator Bridget McKenzie, the former Federal Sports Minister, had intervened in grant allocation decisions regarding the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program in order to gain political advantage for Coalition candidates and members in the 2019 federal election.

Conceding that while the Canadian regional dynamic will never be fully immunised from economic inequities, the authors of this report believe that the proposals they outline will provide a workable, place-responsive, and efficient means of leveraging the post-COVID recovery as a catalyst for a stronger...

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is undertaking statistical analysis to assist its understanding of how much residential aged care services should cost at different levels of quality, the implications for funding and the scope for providers to improve their efficiency. This...

This report presents an independent view of the role that Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) can and should play in meeting New Zealand’s current and future needs.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of grant program management by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

This report argues that the cost of supporting business through the crisis is easily affordable if it helps return the recession-scarred economy to growth. But the Treasury must avoid burdening companies with unpayable debts or propping up those with no prospects in the post-coronavirus economy.

Politically motivated funding decisions are dwarfing the controversy that claimed a minister.