🇦🇺 Australia
4 real examples of unusual Australian government spending, biggest first. Each one links to its original source, so you can check it yourself.
An unusual cost is not automatically waste. Some had good reasons; some really didn’t. Amounts are in original currency and not adjusted for inflation. See how we check the facts.
- 🛳️ A break-up payment for French submarines Australia never gotA$830 million settlement · 2022
Australia cancelled its French submarine deal in 2021. The French builder still had to be paid.
- 🅿️ A $660 million car park fund with 2 car parks finished by 2021A$660.4 million 44 car park projects · 2021
Dozens of car parks promised before an election. By 2021, how many were actually done?
- 🤖 Compensation for an automated debt scheme that sent people bills they didn’t oweA$475 million 2026 compensation · 2026
A computer averaged people’s income and sent them welfare debts. Many were wrong.
- 🐄 A patch of land worth about $3 million, bought for almost $30 millionA$29.8 million 12 hectares of land · 2018
12 hectares next to the new Western Sydney Airport. Not needed until after 2050.
Where do taxes go in Australia? →
Other countries
🇨🇦 Government waste in Canada🇺🇸 Government waste in the US🇬🇧 Government waste in the UK🇳🇿 Government waste in New Zealand