Albanese’s $6m golf grant based on internet research, ‘educated guess’

Anthony Albanese’s controversial $6 million election promise to his local golf club was based on rough estimates and internet research, a Senate inquiry has heard, raising fresh questions about the allocation of taxpayer funds in the prime minister’s electorate.

A taxpayer-funded upgrade of Albanese’s local golf club was costed on an “educated guess” by its manager, who admitted the money was never intended to fix the sewage problems Albanese cited in parliament to justify the controversial election promise.

A Senate inquiry on Thursday heard the prime minister’s honorary membership of Marrickville Golf Club carried the same privileges as an $1100-a-year golfing membership, despite Albanese previously suggesting it was worth just $5. Club officials, however, conceded they were often given to individuals they knew would not use them.

The Australian National Audit Office has also challenged the Albanese government’s claim that its controversial grants program had been endorsed by the independent watchdog, telling the inquiry that ministers had overstated its findings.

Under questioning from Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, senior audit officials confirmed they had not been consulted before Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and fellow minister Kristy McBain wrote to the committee claiming the government’s approach was supported by the ANAO.

“We haven’t audited the program, so we can’t make such a statement,” senior ANAO official Brian Boyd told the hearing.

The watchdog also raised concerns about the assessment process, after the Department of Infrastructure revealed every project assessed had cleared the minimum six-out-of-10 threshold, but declined to release the individual scores.

Boyd said auditors would examine whether assessments were genuinely rigorous or merely designed to approve projects already promised by politicians.

The ANAO said an audit of the program had been added to its 2026-27 work program for consideration, with officials acknowledging there was merit in investigating whether public money had been allocated appropriately.

The revelations have intensified scrutiny of the multi-million dollar commitment to the club in the inner-west Sydney electorate of Grayndler, with most of the money earmarked for a major clubhouse redevelopment featuring a new bar, furnishings and outdoor dining facilities.

Club general manager Mathew Ward conceded the original $6 million figure had been calculated using his own experience renovating golf clubs, internet research and rough estimates rather than professional costings.

“That was purely my estimates based on a combination of past experience of renovations at golf clubs,” Ward told senators.

“So it’s my estimates plus the internet research, but look, a bit of an educated guess too, but I suppose not professionally.”

Ward said club officials approached Albanese’s electorate office in 2024 seeking assistance with longstanding infrastructure problems, including sewage and drainage issues, and were encouraged to submit a broader list of proposed improvements.

He subsequently returned with a package of projects totalling $6.05 million, including about $1 million for stormwater harvesting. Professional costings were commissioned only after the club was invited to apply for the federal funding.

In September, Albanese told parliament the funding was designed to prevent raw sewage entering the nearby Cooks River during flooding.

“When it floods in Marrickville, raw sewage flows into the Cooks River. That is what the funding is for,” he declared.

But Ward confirmed the sewerage works were never part of the federal funding package and were instead being addressed through a separate $269,000 NSW government grant.

“It was not ultimately part of what was funded with the $6.05 million,” he said.

Albanese subsequently conceded his explanation to parliament had been wrong.

Club president Andrew Tighe nevertheless defended the need for infrastructure investment, describing the club’s sewage problems as “environmentally, absolutely, catastrophic”.

He said heavy rainfall coinciding with high tides could cause the club’s septic system to connect with the Cooks River, while large functions required costly measures to prevent wastewater overflowing.

The committee also heard Albanese had held honorary membership of the club since 2012, but formally relinquished it on September 14, a week after an ABC investigation disclosed the arrangement.

Albanese had previously told parliament he was unaware of the membership and pointed to the club’s $5 social membership fee when questioned about its value. Club officials confirmed honorary members enjoyed the same rights as full golfing members, although records showed Albanese had not played a round under the membership since it was granted.

In a letter declining the honorary membership, Albanese said he would be happy to pay the $5 social membership fee in future.

Ward also revealed club staff had endured abusive calls, prank restaurant bookings and demands from angry taxpayers for their money back since the controversy erupted.

He said staff had faced “verbal abuse”, with people stating “you’re scum for taking taxpayer money”.

In other instances, there would be enquiries about membership that staff would “answer politely and in a friendly manner, and then that person turns and abuses them”.

“So, that’s been difficult,” Ward said.

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