Full Breakdown
Labor’s Invite-Only Infrastructure Grants Under Scrutiny for Near-Automatic Approval
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event: Near-Universal Funding of Invite-Only Grants
New research released in late October 2026 shows that 98 percent of projects invited to apply under the Albanese government’s invite-only infrastructure programs ultimately received federal funding. The Centre for Public Integrity examined 317 of 325 invited projects across two schemes and found only eight were not funded, with no confirmed cases of bureaucratic rejection on merit. As of September 11, all 92 projects approved under the latest $560.9 million scheme had passed departmental scrutiny, while three applications were withdrawn and 131 of 226 invited projects remained pending.
02
Background & Context: Election Grants and Program Design
The $560.9 million election-grant package was introduced after Labor’s 2022 victory and directed roughly three-quarters of its money toward electorates notionally held by Labor before the 2025 federal election. Two earlier invite-only programs—the $1 billion Priority Community Infrastructure Program and the $349.9 million Investing in Our Communities Program—were also examined. The Centre’s report, authored by Dr Catherine Williams, Professor Gabrielle Appleby and Zoe Neumayer, noted success rates of 97.6 percent (80 of 82 projects) and 97.5 percent (237 of 243 projects) respectively, contrasting sharply with a 6 percent success rate (40 of 650) in the competitive $600 million Growing Regions Program.
03
Data & Statistics: Funding Success Rates and Allocation
- Invite-only overall success: 317 of 325 projects (? 98 %).
- Priority Community Infrastructure Program: 80 of 82 projects (97.6 %).
- Investing in Our Communities Program: 237 of 243 projects (97.5 %).
- Growing Regions competitive program: 40 of 650 projects (? 6 %).
- As of September 11, 92 approved projects under the $560.9 million scheme passed scrutiny; three were withdrawn; 131 of 226 invited projects pending.
- Almost three-quarters of the $560.9 million was earmarked for notionally Labor-held electorates, with a disproportionate share to marginal seats.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King defended the process, asserting that all applications under the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program are subject to departmental scrutiny and that projects failing to meet community-benefit, viability and value-for-money benchmarks “will not be awarded funding.” She also explained that a contested $6 million grant to Marrickville Golf Course was intended to address sewage problems, a claim later revised after the NSW government agreed to fund the urgent works.