Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Public funds will pay $86.41 million in administration costs, out of the $443.3 million grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The grant was supposed to address coral bleaching & the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/award-4433-million-grant-great-barrier-reef-foundation …

The grant was awarded through a non-competitive process and the full $443.3 million was paid up front even though the work will be finalised in 2024. The decision was informed by written advice but driven by the need to spend the allocated money in 2017–18.

It's common that departments rush to spend money at the end of financial year (though this needs change). It is, however, uncommon for high sum to not go out for tender & for poor oversight of clear targets + assessment criteria & lack of detail about how the funds would be spent