National has raised concerns over the apparent rubber-stamping of projects being considered as a result of government coalition talks following revelations that millions of dollars could be spent on all-weather race tracks.
Radio NZ reported today that $30 million of Provincial Growth Fund money had been set aside for coalition government projects, including a Dunedin centre of digital excellence, a sports hub in Kaitaia and several all-weather race tracks.
National's economic development spokesman Paul Goldsmith has revealed papers released under the Official Information Act show an application to the Provincial Growth Fund's independent advisory panel for Te Hiku Sports Hub signed off with "the panel notes that the application for the PGF to fund the Te Hiku Sports Hubs has been agreed as part of a manifesto commitment and does not require formal advice from the panel to the Minister".
Muddying the waters further is the fact that the head of the independent advisory panel, Rodger Finlay, is a director of Thoroughbred Racing NZ, which has applied for Provincial Growth Fund money for the race tracks which it says will help support the industry and the wider regions.
"Revelations that the Provincial Growth Fund will fund all-weather tracks for the horse-racing industry, an uncosted plan already approved by Cabinet, show there are no limits for [Regional Economic Development Minister] Shane Jones' slush fund," Goldsmith said.