The audit office says it is “considering” an audit of a federal funding scheme dogged by accusations of pork-barreling. 

The Australian National Audit Office may conduct a probe of the administration of the Safer Communities Fund overseen by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.

Mr Dutton personally cut grants worth millions from the scheme, funnelling the funds instead to his own handpicked list, outside of his department's merit-based rankings.

Some of the funding went to councils facing by-elections in highly marginal seats, which his department had recommended should not be funded.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Kristina Keneally has since written to Auditor-General Grant Hehir, calling for an audit.

Mr Hehir says he will consider it. 

“I am conscious of the level of Parliamentary interest in grants decision-making,” Mr Hehir said in his response.

“With respect to open, competitive grant programs, requests from Parliamentarians for audits often raise questions about whether funding decisions are being made in a manner and on a basis consistent with the published program guidelines.

“I will consider including an audit on this topic in the context of developing the Australian National Audit Office's Annual Audit Work Program 2021-22.

“In the event that I decide to undertake an audit of the Safer Communities Fund, our scoping work will take into account your request.”

The Auditor-General can compel government agencies and public servants to provide information about the administration of public funds. His agency - the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) - is one of the few standing bodies that can determine whether public funds are being properly used. Mr Herir says it needs more funding.