The National Party has boasted about being trusted by regional Australia, while its deputy leader is under investigation for her role in a $100 million sports grant scandal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Wednesday marked 100 years since nine federal Members of Parliament agreed to form the Australian Country Party.
The Nationals held a commemorative tree dedication at the National Arboretum, with leader Michael McCormack and deputy Bridget McKenzie in attendance.
The party also posted a stirring video on its social media channels, where Mr McCormack and Senator McKenzie boasted of "100 years of being trusted by our members and the people living in regional Australia as their strong voice".
"Our efforts and determination has positively changed the way government delivers for the people of regional Australia," Senator McKenzie said.
Mr McCormack said the Nationals had spent the last 100 years "delivering for our farmers, for regional development, for between roads, for rural health and for education facilities".
"We will unashamedly maintain that emphasis into the future," Mr McCormack said.
A week earlier, the Australian Auditor-General found Senator McKenzie's office sidelined meritorious applications to the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants program in favour of those from seats the Coalition was targeting at the 2019 election.
Earlier that day, it emerged Senator McKenzie had failed to declare she was a member of the Wangaratta Clay Target Club before awarding it $36,000 for a new toilet block under the grants program in February.
Twitter users were quick to blast the Nationals party over the scandal.
Senator McKenzie has been in hiding this week as pressure mounts over the alleged misuse of the sporting grants scheme.
Mr Morrison's office had also ducked questions about whether there had been a possible breach of the ministerial standards on Tuesday. He confirmed late on Wednesday the matter had been referred to Mr Gaetjens last Friday.