[Coolhand]

"A topless pub in north Queensland has been given a $500,000 federal grant to help it attract tourists. Opposition regional development spokesman Kelvin Thomson said Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson approved the grant despite knowing that it breached program guidelines because the Atherton Hotel was in direct competition with a number of other hotels and clubs in the district. And Mr Thomson said the grant appeared to have been used to create space to open up a gaming venue with 21 poker machines. The pub, known locally as "The Stump", received the grant in November 2003 to help it build a conference centre. Within months, the hotel - famed for its topless barmaids and performances by the "Stump Bikini Babes" - had applied for 21 poker machine licences, to be housed in the old breakfast room and general meals room".