Victoria's sports grants program should be referred to the Auditor-General to check for the same type of rorts that have occurred federally, says Tim Quilty.
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The Wodonga-based MP made the call this week in Victorian Parliament, saying that when it comes to granting funds to marginal seats, the Liberal Democrats "do not believe that grant rorts are an isolated thing or that they are rare".
It comes after the controversy that surrounded Senator Bridget McKenzie's handling of federal grants.
"It has been my experience that governments take every opportunity they can to buy votes with taxpayer money. Sports grant programs are themselves designed to win votes from voters who are invested in sports," he said.
"I call upon the minister to discontinue the Victorian sports grant programs while he refers them to the Auditor-General for independent review."
Mr Quilty said there have also been allegations against Liberal MPs in Queensland.
"It is clear that these grant programs are a breeding ground for corruption, vote-buying and pork-barrelling," he said.
In talking about Victoria's $175 million sports grants program, Mr Quilty said large amounts of money had been spent in Labor-held seats of Ballarat, Geelong and Macedon. "This is spending that is entirely at the minister's discretion," he said.
"Buying votes with taxpayer money is not a rare occurrence, it is the standard operating procedure of both the major parties."
He addressed his question to Tourism, Sport and Major Event Minister Martin Pakula and was told he would receive a written response.
The Victorian government was contacted by The Border Mail for comment.
