An investigation into a Tasmanian public-funded body that handed over more than half a million dollars to support a ‘Yes’ vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum has found “effective process” was not followed.
In 2023, the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) granted approximately $557,800 to Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition (AICR), the charity that led the ‘Yes’ campaign, for a national media campaign, media consultant, workshops and promotional material.
The grant was part of a round that awarded a total of nearly $2.6 million, including $360,000 to the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, $453,000 to Karinya Young Women’s Service, $200,000 to the Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation and $306,235 to the School Matters lunch program.
Nationally, 9.45 million Australians (60.1%) voted ‘No’ to the proposed constitutional change and 6.29 million (39.9%) voted ‘Yes’.
The ‘No’ vote prevailed in Tasmania, with 218,425 people (58.9%) voting against and 152,171 (41.1%) voting in favour.
A review by Auditor-General Martin Thompson, released on Thursday, concluded that the TCF’s decision to back a ‘Yes’ vote was made without proper procedures and considerations and that the AICR grant evaluation did not align with an established framework.
He found that the TCF failed to document its reasons for supporting a ‘Yes’ vote, consult available guidance or seek advice on the appropriateness of a state entity endorsing a specific outcome in a Commonwealth referendum, identify and manage risks associated with the decision or declare and manage conflicts of interest.
The TCF Board has disputed the findings, stating that they “strongly disagree with and reject the majority” of them and expressing concern that “many of the report’s findings were constructed to result in an inaccurate picture” of their operations.
“We are also critical of the Tasmanian Audit Office (TAO) just looking at one grant in isolation … as it represents a fundamental flaw with the overall approach to the audit,” Director Alex McKenzie said.
“Failing to take a wholistic view of the processes relating to the decision to support ‘Yes’ and the funding decision to the AICR means the TAO did not consider the many factors that provide important context to our decision.”
“At the time the decision was made, all three leaders of the three main political parties in Tasmania had publicly supported the Yes vote.”
“That is not recognised anywhere in the report. Importantly, the TCF Board has never funded a political party. AICR is a registered charity and is not a registered political party.”
Minister Roger Jaensch has indicated that the state government will consider amending the Tasmanian Community Fund Act 2005 in light of the review, noting that the use of public funds for political purposes “does not meet community expectations”.
“The government did not endorse, nor approve, this use of these funds,” he said.
“The government and the Tasmanian community expect a high degree of diligence, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.”
“On this basis, I have requested urgent advice to amend the Act to bring the TCF Board’s accountability and governance obligations into line with those of other statutory boards with similar responsibilities for public funds.”
Amendments to the Act are anticipated to be introduced into parliament before the end of the year.
