The Senate on Monday voted to launch an inquiry into a grants program used to fund election promises in marginal Labor seats.
A Centre for Public Integrity report found 45 electorates were not invited to apply for the $560 million community and sport infrastructure program and did not receive any funding.
It was designed to fulfil election promises made by successful candidates in the 2025 election and to provide a one-off, invite-only grants round the year following.
The largest proportion of its funding went to marginal Labor seats, followed by safe seats.
Centre chair and ex-judge Anthony Whealy said $493 million went to seats where Labor was competitive, compared to $66 million where it was not.
"These figures ring alarm bells," he said.
The Greens, coalition, One Nation and independent senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock voted in favour of establishing the inquiry, which is due to report back by mid-October.
The probe will examine a $6 million grant given to Marrickville Golf Club, within Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate.
It was used to help fully renovate the clubhouse, upgrade outdoor dining and fix sewerage systems.
Mr Albanese held an undeclared honorary membership to the club, which is close to his Sydney investment property, and was photographed there before becoming prime minister.
He said the membership was awarded 14 years ago and he had not been aware it was ongoing.
"To provide certainty, I've written to the secretary of the Marrickville Golf Club, making it clear I decline any honour of membership of the club," he said in Question Time on Monday.
"If I'm in a position to visit the club sometime in the future, which I haven't done since my election as prime minister, I'd be more than pleased to pay the $5 fee."
A two-year social membership to the club costs $5, while a full membership is $1100, but MPs are required to declare membership of any organisation with which a conflict of interest could arise.
Roughly 73 per cent of funds for 220 projects went to Labor electorates.
The party holds just under two-thirds of seats in the lower house.
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