The Federal Government has given almost half a billion dollars in funding to the not-for-profit Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help the organisation in its work to save the world’s largest coral reef system.
Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the $444 million grant would go through the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to scientists to ensure that they can protect and develop more heat-resistant coral.
He said the money would also go to farmers so that they can reduce the pesticide, nitrogen run-off into the reef.
With the Great Barrier Reef spending most of the last decade on UNESCO’s “in danger” list and losing half of its coral after years of coral bleaching, you’d think the news would be welcomed by all. Not so.
You see, the cash was pledged in a way that not everyone agreed with. It was pledged during a private meeting between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg and foundation chair John Schubert.
The most controversial thing about this is the grant went through without any tender process. This is especially unusual given it was the largest Government donation to a private foundation in Australian history.
Meanwhile Malcolm Turnbull is defending the decision which he describes as the “single biggest contribution and investment in the health of the Great Barrier Reef ever”.
And surely that can’t be a bad thing?
“The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is an outstanding organisation, this has been done completely transparently,”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
He said there was an 100-page agreement between the Government and the foundation as to how the money will be invested and spent.
Better it will all be subject to oversight both by Government and the Australian national audit office.
“This is a wonderful investment in ensuring that we maintain the health of the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
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