Today Minister for Sport Jane Howlett finally admitted to the Public Accounts Committee that the money used to fund the COVID-19 Sport and Recreation Grants Program response is from the suspended Community Support Levy (CSL) Sport and Recreation Major and Minor Grants Program.
Shadow Minister for Sport David O'Byrne said Minister Howlett has been caught red faced in an attempt to re-badge existing funding.
"Today Minister Howlett confirmed to the PAC that the money used to fund the 3rd and 4th tranches of the COVID-19 Sport and Recreation Grants Program was actually being funded from the suspended (CSL) funded Sport and Recreation Major and Minor Grants Program," Mr O'Byrne said.
"Earlier this week Minister Howlett attempted, in a parliamentary question time announcement, to pass this funding off as a completely newly funded program, however it has been revealed the money will be coming from the longstanding and currently suspended program.
"This is yet another misleading announcement from Peter Gutwein's Liberal Government.
"Last year in Estimates it was revealed the Government instructed the Racing industry to use its own money to support itself through the shutdown despite claiming it was through a funded funding package.
"The Minister must stop misleading Tasmanian on these announcements."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Sport
