LABOR DEMANDS THE RETURN OF THE REEF MONEY

A Shorten Labor Government will terminate the Grant Agreement between the Environment Department and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and demand the Foundation return unspent funds to Australian taxpayers.

Tony Burke has advised Dr John Schubert, Great Barrier Reef Foundation Chair, that an incoming Labor Government will use Clause 25.1.1 to terminate the Grant Agreement.

Under the agreement between the Department of the Environment and Energy and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, a material change in Government policy allows the Department to terminate the Agreement and seek the recovery of uncommitted funding.  

Earlier this year, the Government recklessly gave a $444 million grant to the small, private Great Barrier Reef Foundation against Department of Finance advice, and with serious probity questions hanging over the decision.

Labor is committed to protection of the Great Barrier Reef and all recovered funds will be invested in the Reef via government agencies.

The Foundation is now on notice.