Questions are being raised about what Scott Morrison's government is spending its money on.
It's been revealed the government committed to spend $18 million to set up the Australian Future Leaders Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation.
Budget papers show how this organisation will get the huge sum of money over the next five years from 2021 to 2022, according to the ABC.
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After that five-year deal is over, the Australian Future Leaders Foundation will get $4 million every year.
Budget papers state: "The program will develop mid-career leaders and create an alumni network for future leaders in government, business, education institutions and non-profits across Australia.”
Member from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, John Reid, admitted that the Foundation isn't yet tangible.
He explained during a Senate Estimates hearing that the non-for-profit had no website, address, or any staff outside of its directors, Chris Hartley and Julie and Andrew Overton.
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"We are currently negotiating an agreement with that foundation to deliver the program," he said, to the ABC.
"We have done a range of due diligence on Mr Hartley and on the program he is proposing to support."
This has raised concern with some in the Opposition, with NSW Labor senator Tim Ayres saying he's unsure how an unestablished foundation could benefit the people of Australia.
"They don't do anything else, they don't exist, and yet here they are about to be the recipients of $18 million worth of grant funding," he said.
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"They have put the cart before the horse, they have delivered the money without having any evidence that it's going to deliver real results for Australians."
Mr Ayres also questioned if the federal government had actually done its due diligence before agreeing to $18 million worth of funds, as the charity has completed no work since it was established in April last year.
“It’s all very well for the Governor-General’s office to propose this kind of program, it’s the government’s responsibility to do the due diligence work properly,” he said.
“It’s absolutely apparent that this work hasn’t been done in this scenario.”
According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) documents, The Australian Future Leaders Foundation Limited was registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
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But if you weren’t already sceptical, the document also lists a Barangaroo address as the foundation’s office; however, this office is currently occupied by a law firm.
Hmmm…curious, to say the least.
Charisa Bossinakis