'Political process': Labor HQ guided $560m grant scheme

Key points

• Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has confirmed that Labor's party office helped decide which electorates were eligible for funding from a $560 million invite-only grants program. She described the process as political and said it is handled through party machinery rather than government machinery.
• Liberal frontbencher Ted O'Brien said the claim needs to be investigated. An analysis found that roughly 73 per cent of funds for 220 projects went to Labor electorates.
• A Senate inquiry is due to report in mid-November.