Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I'd like to talk about this government's diabolical gifting of close to half a billion dollars to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for environmental projects on the reef. I ask you to consider these facts: with no open tender process, the Prime Minister has splashed close to half a billion dollars on a tiny organisation with a budget of only $10 million, just six full-time staff and a board stacked with big business and fossil fuel interests. Not only is this the largest handout of public funds to a private organisation in Australia's history, but the foundation didn't even request the money. In securing the grant, the foundation beat out other eminent institutions like the CSIRO, which has world-class scientific expertise and a proven track record in managing large environmental projects. The diabolical facts of this case cast grave concerns, yet again, over the motivations and integrity of this government, so I welcome the very recent announcement that the head of the environment department has, in fact, asked for an audit of this money. The request has come for the Auditor-General to do an official investigation, as well it should. Governments must lead by example and uphold the highest of standards when it comes to the use of public money. The people of Australia deserve nothing less.