Tasmania's auditor-general has cleared the State Government's small business COVID-19 hardship grants program of accusations of pork barrelling, but found some recipients were not actually eligible for the funding, while one industry was particularly disadvantaged.
The criteria were quietly changed at one point and successful applicants received either $15,000 or $4,000 — again without clear reasons why some were given more and some less. "Due to the need for the prompt distribution of grant funds, the program could not be a truly competitive one, but there was no bias in terms of geographical location or business type."However, Mr Whitehead's report also found "a small number" of cases where grant recipients were not actually eligible or had received favourable treatment over comparable applicants.
Should've got some tips from Gladys.
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