Documents raise questions over Labor's $5m election pledge for Adelaide sports precinct

Newly released documents have raised questions about the due diligence process behind a $5 million federal Labor pledge to upgrade a sports precinct in Adelaide. The funding, announced in the lead-up to the 2025 election, was for the redevelopment of Jubilee Reserve as a permanent home for the Adelaide Jaguars women's soccer club.

The documents, obtained under Freedom of Information, reveal that Health Minister Mark Butler's office urged the City of Charles Sturt council to submit a proposal with a total price tag of "around $6m", without detailed costings or formal planning having been done. The council had originally requested $1.2 million for lighting and development of a master plan for the reserve.

Council 'approached' by federal government

The council told that it was subsequently "approached" by the federal government to seek support for the broader Jaguars proposal. The funding was for the council as the owner of the sporting precinct and did not go to the soccer club directly.

"I have been given a very short turnaround time to present the project for their consideration," Jaguars chair Bronny Brooks said in an email from October 2024.

Cost estimates and timelines

Documents show Mr Butler's electorate office staffer emailed the council in January 2025 asking for a letter confirming the plan and including an approximate cost "which, as we discussed, would be around $6m, with council to provide an amount towards that".

In a February email, the staffer described the project as at a "make-or-break point" as he sought a "more rigorous" breakdown of the "$6m costing" and a timeline.

The final proposal closely reflected the Jaguars' wish list, including a dedicated senior pitch, fencing, four change rooms and additional playing fields.

'Gobsmacking' proposal

Earlier council discussions about a possible Jaguars move to the reserve had stalled as the soccer club's wish list was considered too ambitious. One council official described the Jaguars' proposal as "gobsmacking" and warned of "exclusive access" issues, saying it looked "more like a takeover" of the space by the club.

Labor defends grant

Mr Butler defended investing in a "terrific" women's soccer club and said the grant was both "consistent with past practice" and delivered in line with Commonwealth rules.

"The council outlined to us in a detailed budget proposal how much funding would be needed to develop Jubilee Reserve," he said.

"The election commitment is consistent with past practice and is delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Practices."

Coalition criticism

The Coalition has criticised the process and argued developing an overall cost first and "manufacturing" the detail later was not "due diligence".

"This is the opposite of the accountability and transparency Australians deserve," Shadow Sport Minister Anne Ruston said.

"That's not proper process, it's a press release looking for a business case."