No future: Governor-General’s charity knocked on the head

by Mark Sawyer | Sep 8, 2022 | Lobbyland

It may be the easiest budget cut the Albanese government makes as it battles with a trillion dollars of debt.

On Wednesday night, with MWM’s coverage rating hot (it still is on Thursday morning), the government announced that the $18m charity endorsed by the Governor-General, funded by the taxpayer, headed by a low-profile businessman, and with only the vaguest mandate, would be scrapped.

In its Budget in March, the Morrison government committed $18m to the Australian Future Leaders Foundation, a charity registered in April 2021 and headed by Chris Hartley. Governor-General David Hurley hosted its launch at his official residence, Admiralty House, Kirribilli, in May 2021 and has given its staunch support.

As MWM contributor #Mate reported last month, the Governor-General has hosted Hartley on 11 occasions, according to entries in his calendar. Since September 2021 the GG appears to have anointed the foundation as belonging to and endorsed by the Governor-General. The Governor-General’s official diary records Hartley as being referred to as executive director, Governor-General’s Australian Future Leaders Program.

And as MWM reported on Wednesday, alarm bells have been ringing in independent and social media.

Royal Favours: pipe and slippers time for David Hurley and Scott Morrison

The Albanese government is not anxious to bring the Governor-General into controversy so early in its term. But the Prime Minister has been distinctively terse about Hurley’s role in the swearing-in of Scott Morrison into five secret portfolios.

Mark Sawyer is a journalist with extensive experience in print and digital media in Sydney, Melbourne and rural Australia.

Don't pay so you can read it.

Pay so everyone can.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This