Michael McCormack and secret group of ministers funded projects against department recommendations AprApril 2021 at 6:16am In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2019 election, Michael McCormack announced $200 million in spending under the third round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) for 330 projects across Australia. ( Share Print text only Cancel Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and a secret group of government ministers intervened in the selection of more than a third of the projects funded from a $200m regional grant fund. Key points: Michael McCormack announced $200m in funding under the third round of the Building Better Regions Fund