MPs condemn payment of millions to consultants over federally funded grant schemes

Politicians and union say assessment of grant applications should no longer be outsourced to private companies

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Consultants have been paid millions of dollars to help design federally funded grant schemes and assist in assessing applications to such programs, drawing bipartisan rebuke from MPs concerned about potential conflicts of interest.

The politicians and a union believe the assessment of grant applications is core work" for public servants that should no longer be outsourced to private companies, in line with new guidelines issued to departments in late October.

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