Facility accused of exorcisms and gay conversion practices applied for funding a month after Morrison announced it

The article reveals that the Australian federal health department approved millions in public funding to the Esther Foundation despite serious allegations of abuse, including coercive religious practices and suppression of LGBTQA+ individuals. This decision occurred under significant political pressure from the former prime minister, resulting in a grant process that bypassed standard competitive procedures. The rapid approval suggests that political influence outweighed proper administrative due diligence, leading to funds being allocated to an organization with a deeply concerning operational record. Crucially, the audit found the grant likely lacked lawful authority, as officials received advice indicating illegality on the same day the agreement was signed. This highlights a systemic failure in ethical oversight, where departmental rules were deliberately breached to expedite a “captain’s pick” decision. The administration’s review was superficial, lacking essential financial viability assessments, which underscores how quickly public resources were dispersed without necessary safeguards or accountability checks. This case is vital to open data because it demonstrates the power of transparency in exposing government misconduct. Freedom of Information documents were essential to uncover the timeline, revealing that officials rushed to legitimize an already announced political decision rather than conducting a genuine assessment. It shows that accessible public records are critical for holding institutions accountable, allowing journalists and citizens to trace how political expediency can compromise ethical governance and public trust.

Source: theguardian.com
Published on 2023-09-06

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