The national audit office is undertaking an audit of the Black Spot mobile coverage program amid allegations of pork barrelling.

The ANAO, which previously listed Round 6 of the Mobile Black Spot program as a potential auditing target, confirms in its Annual Audit Work Program that it has commenced an audit of the program and is due to report next May.

The audit will assess the “effectiveness of the design and award of funding” for Round 6 of the program, which provided grants to improve telecommunications infrastructure and improve mobile coverage in under-serviced areas.

It will consider whether Round 6 was consistent with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines, whether applications were assessed in accordance with grant guidelines, and whether funding decisions were informed by clear advice and were consistent with grant guidelines.

Opposition MP David Coleman, who referred the matter to Auditor General Grant Hehir in March, has accused Communications Minister Michelle Rowland of “personally hand-picking every site to receive funding” under the program.

Labor electorates received 74 per cent of funding grants in Round 6 of the program, Mr Coleman said, despite Labor representing only a third of regional electorates.

In NSW and Victoria, 100 per cent grants went to Labor electorates, he says.

A spokesperson for Ms Rowland told Government News the government would work with the audit office on any consideration of subsequent rounds.

“This funding fulfils election commitments made in Opposition to address mobile coverage challenges not addressed by the former Coalition Government over nine long years – including bushfire-impacted areas of the South Coast of New South Wales and the Blue Mountains,” the spokesperson said.

“These election commitments were identified through engagement with local communities by Members of Parliament, Senators and candidates before the last election.”

The MBSP is supported by co-contributions from state and local governments, mobile network operators, businesses and local communities.

Applications for $160 million worth of funding under Round 7 are currently open.

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