The Government Is Spending $18M On A Charity With No Office, Staff, Or Website

The Federal Government has allocated $18 million to a not-for-profit organisation that appears to have no fixed address or staff, which has raised some serious questions about the funding.

As part of this year’s budget — handed down last week — the government has allocated $18 million over five years towards the Australian Future Leaders Foundation, as well as an additional $4 million annually after that. But despite throwing millions of dollars at the organisation, nobody really seems to have much of an understanding about what the foundation is or what it hopes to achieve with the money.

“The Government will provide $18.0 million over 5 years from 2021-22 and $4.0 million per year ongoing to establish the Australian Future Leaders Foundation. 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,” the budget papers read.

As first reported by the ABC, questioning during Senate estimates revealed that the foundation — operating as The Australian Future Leaders Foundation Limited — appears to have no office, website, or even staff aside from its three directors: Chris Hartley and Julie and Andrew Overton.

“We are currently negotiating an agreement with that foundation to deliver the program,” said John Reid from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to the Senate.

“We have done a range of due diligence on Mr Hartley and on the program he is proposing to support.”

What Is The Australian Future Leaders Foundation?

The foundation has been registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) since April 16, 2021, but there is very little information about the organisation online.

The address listed on the ACNC registration is actually that of Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers, which is presumably the law firm that handles the foundation’s paperwork — including its constitution.

As per its constitution, The Australian Future Leaders Foundation aims to “advance education, with a focus on building the skills, experience and capability of Australia’s future leaders”.

This may be done through various educational opportunities and through “establishing and fostering a vibrant alumni community”, among other things. Basically, it appears the foundation could be a networking and mentoring club for those looking to become politicians and CEOs.

While the organisation has outlined a vague goal for what it hopes to achieve, it remains unclear what exactly the $18 million will actually be spent on or why this foundation received funding over other NFPs.

What Does The Governor-General Have To Do With It?

According to Reid, the office of Prime Minister and Cabinet started organising the program after Chris Hartley pitched the idea to the Governor-General David Hurley in meetings that first kicked off in July 2020.

As per program history, Hartley met with David Hurley on multiple occasions following the initial meeting — from September 25, 2020 to May 27, 2021. In 2020 Hartley was listed as “Executive Officer, Australian Future Leaders Programme”, but this title was changed to “Executive Director, Governor-General’s Australian Future Leaders Program” in the 2021 listings.

In a statement provided to the ABC, Hurley confirmed that his office had been involved in the program but noted that he has no role in government funding decisions.

“The Governor-General met Mr Chris Hartley, the Executive Director of the Australian Future Leaders Program in July 2020,” the statement said.

“The Governor-General does not have a relationship with Mr Hartley (other than discussions about the Australian Future Leaders Program and briefly meeting in 2019 around the 100th anniversary of the Peace Rowing Regatta).

“The Governor-General supports the Australian Future Leaders Program and intends to serve as its inaugural Patron.

“It is important to note that the Governor-General is not involved in government funding decisions. Similarly, the Governor-General has not been involved in the establishment of, and has not and will not be involved in the administration of, the Australian Future Leaders Foundation.

Labor Has Called BS On The Whole Thing

If you’re wondering how $18 million could be handed to an organisation that we’ve got no real understanding of, you’re not alone because NSW Labor Senator Tim Ayres raised the same question.

“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.”

Ayres also questioned whether the government had done its due diligence before signing off on funding, considering there’s no evidence of any work that the Australia Future Leaders Foundation has actually done since being established in 2021.

“It’s absolutely apparent that this work hasn’t been done in this scenario.”

Despite Not Ever Having Met With The Director, Morrison’s Office Backs The Foundation

In a statement provided to the ABC, Scott Morrison’s office confirmed that neither the prime minister nor anyone in his office has actually ever met with Chris Hartley but, despite this, still supports the program — whose objective remains murky at best.

“The program aims to develop mid-career leaders and an alumni network for future leaders in Australian business, government, education and not-for-profits. The program lead will design it in close consultation with PMC,” a spokesman told the ABC.