Inquiry into QLD Rugby Union grant

Fifteen years ago a sports rorts affair brought down federal Labor sports minister Ros Kelly.

Now an inquiry into a $4.2 million grant to the Queensland Rugby Union, which has involved former Queensland sports minister Judy Spence, has been compared to what became known as Ms Kelly's 'whiteboard affair'.

There was no whiteboard in Ms Spence's office, but a Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry heard there was a spreadsheet where ticks and crosses gave effect to the grants process.

Counsel assisting the inquiry, Russell Pearce, said there were several similarities between the two grants schemes, although Ms Spence has not been accused of pork-barrelling Labor electorates.

'Like the (federal) Sporting Facilities Program, the (Queensland) Major Facilities Program has attracted adverse comment in an audit report, and raises the spectre of poor record-keeping and questionable public administration,' Mr Pearce said at the inquiry which wrapped up in Brisbane on Wednesday...........


Inquiry into QLD Rugby Union grant

Ms Spence has Excelled herself...