Bringing Home the Bacon: An empirical analysis of the extent and effects of pork-barreling in Australian politics

Abstract

Which electorates receive targeted funding, and does targeted funding swing votes? To answer these questions, I analyze four discretionary programs funded by the Australian federal government during the 2001-2004 election cycle. Controlling for relevant demographic characteristics of the electorate, those electorates held by the governing coalition received a larger share of discretionary funding, and a larger number of program grants. Among government seats, funding does not appear to have been directed towards those that were more marginal. More discretionary funding-particularly on road-building-was associated with a larger swing towards the government in the 2004 election.