Anthony Albanese has told Australia’s national broadcaster to “do better” after being questioned over an undeclared honorary membership of a Sydney golf club awarded $6.05 million in federal funding.
The prime minister was challenged during an ABC News Breakfast interview about his long association with Marrickville Golf Club, which lies in his Grayndler electorate and was promised money through an invitation-only grants scheme established to deliver Labor’s 2025 election commitments. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-09/albanese-undeclared-honorary-membership-marrickville-golf-club/107130762?utm_source=openai))
Mr Albanese said he had been made an honorary member around 15 years ago but did not possess a membership card and had not visited the club for years.
“I used to walk my dog along the path, as lots of people do, because it’s a community club. The ABC were told this,” he said.
When presenter James Glenday indicated the interview would move on, Mr Albanese added: “The ABC should do better.”
Mr Glenday replied: “Thank you for that feedback, Prime Minister. We appreciate all the feedback that we get,” before turning to negotiations between Australia and the Solomon Islands.
When asked about reports of a proposed agreement worth almost $1 billion, Mr Albanese said he negotiated directly with foreign leaders rather than “on the ABC”.
“The ABC should stand up for the national interests, that’s what I do,” he said.
Questions over the Marrickville grant
The dispute follows reports that the prime minister’s register of interests, which covers his time in Parliament since 1996, does not disclose the Marrickville Golf Club membership.
A club representative told the ABC that Mr Albanese remained listed as an honorary member, although the arrangement had not been reaffirmed and may date back 15 years or more. The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to questions about the membership, the broadcaster reported. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-09/albanese-undeclared-honorary-membership-marrickville-golf-club/107130762?utm_source=openai))
The club said it approached Mr Albanese’s electorate office after a redistribution brought it back into Grayndler in October 2024. It said it did not speak directly to the prime minister, but was asked what improvements it required before submitting proposals for a renovation project. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-09/albanese-undeclared-honorary-membership-marrickville-golf-club/107130762?utm_source=openai))
The $6.05 million scheme is intended to fund a comprehensive upgrade of the clubhouse, including outdoor dining, accessibility improvements, landscaping and work on sewage and stormwater systems. Inner West Council formally welcomed the federal investment in May 2025. ([innerwest.infocouncil.biz](https://innerwest.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToInvalidFileName.aspx?FileName=C_20052025_MIN_4182.HTM%2A%24PDF2_ReportName_65985&utm_source=openai))
Mr Albanese later defended the funding, saying the council-owned club needed to upgrade its septic system because it was located in a flood-prone area beside the Cooks River.
“When it rains, raw sewage goes into the river,” he said, adding that the problem had been identified over a long period.
The funding has become part of a wider row over the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program, under which organisations could apply only after receiving an invitation.
The Centre for Public Integrity said Labor-held electorates received almost three-quarters of the scheme’s $560 million, with marginal seats in which Labor was competitive receiving substantially more than their proportional share.
Its chair, former judge Anthony Whealy, said the figures raised questions about whether merit or political advantage had determined which projects received money.
Among the other grants was $16 million for a swimming pool in Bega, in the marginal seat of Eden-Monaro held by Labor frontbencher Kristy McBain.
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino rejected comparisons with the Coalition’s controversial “sports rorts” scheme, saying the two programmes were not equivalent and that the government’s process was consistent with best practice.
The controversy over sports grants contributed to the resignation of then-sports minister Bridget McKenzie in 2020 after she failed to disclose her membership of a gun club that received federal funding.
Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May said Mr Albanese should explain personally why money had been awarded to the Marrickville club, while independent MP Helen Haines called for an overhaul of federal grants processes.
The federal government has said the grants programme followed its rules and guidelines, while the Coalition has demanded an explanation of how the list of projects was compiled. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-09/albanese-undeclared-honorary-membership-marrickville-golf-club/107130762?utm_source=openai))
