Federal Indigenous Affairs department tight-lipped on funding review of Titans 4 Tomorrow
Paul Weston Gold Coast Bulletin March 14, 2015 12:00AM
THE Federal Government has conducted a review into the funding it provides for a Gold Coast Titans charity
A COMPLAINT about government funding of a Gold Coast Titans charity sparked a review by Indigenous Affairs but the department is staying tight-lipped about the outcome.
A Bulletin investigation last year detailed significant transactions between the club and the charity, founded and managed by former Titans co-owner, Michael Searle.
Correspondence obtained since shows Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion responded to a complaint and indicated “the matter is currently being reviewed”.
RELATED: TITANS CHARITY RACKS UP DEBTS
Former Gold Coast Titan's co-owner Michael Searle founded and managed the Titans 4 Tomorrow charity.
Titans 4 Tomorrow management maintains the charity has not taken part in any review “and to our knowledge no review is planned”.
The charity’s ambassador Preston Campbell released a statement revealing he was seeking urgent talks with Mr Scullion as he feared the club’s drug allegations could affect the charity.
“It would be devastating to see our life-changing programs come to a halt because of the allegations against some players,” Mr Campbell said.
The Bulletin report last year revealed company records showed the charity was paying the club rent of almost $750,000 a year in 2011 at the same time it was receiving $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money.
The rental payments dropped to $88,000 in 2013, despite T4T expanding its programs tenfold. The charity had more than $1.5 million in liabilities in October 2013.
T4T directors later said all loans except motor vehicle finance, had been repaid in full.
Titans 4 Tomorrow ambassador Preston Campbell with students at a careers expo.
Last November, in a letter to McPherson MP Karen Andrews, Mr Scullion indicated his department was aware of concerns raised in the Bulletin about the relationship between the club and the charity.
A spokesman for Mr Scullion said: “The minister is unable to comment on specific matters or provide updates regarding reviews.”
A T4T spokesman said: “Yes, our funding has not changed and we are doing our best to remind the community and government that we are a separate organisation from the club, run by a separate board.”
Source:
goldcoastbulletin.com.au