AU: Inquiry demands citrus grants transparency
A report leaked to the ABC says the Department of Agriculture has told Horticulture Australia it must change the membership of the committee which assesses projects.
It says the committee must not have more than half its members chosen from the peak industry body, Citrus Australia Limited.
The departmental report also says Horticulture Australia Limited should decide which projects get support and open tenders for those larger than $100,000.
Riverina citrus grower Frank Battistel raised the initial concern, claiming Citrus Australia had been taking money away from good research efforts.
"We don't know whether they were the best people to do the projects and the best value for money, but they received about $2.2 million worth of the money," he said.
"Were they the best people to run those projects? Did anyone have the opportunity to put up an opposition to the projects or try to do the project?"
Source: www.abc.net.au