They haven't given the money yet, they've indicated an intention to give it subject to a number of other factors.
And the government’s announcement of $444m for the Great Barrier ReefFoundation remains an “intention” – there is still no agreement between the foundation and the Department of Environment and Energy, a Senate estimates hearing has heard.
Stephen Oxley, the first assistant secretary in the department’s heritage, reef and marine division, told a hearing on Monday afternoon the government had announced “its intention to enter into this partnership” and was now determining whether it could be established.
He said the government had first approached the foundation in early April.
“We are in a process at the moment where both the government and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation have expressed their intention to enter into a partnership agreement,” he said.
“We are now going through quite a comprehensive due diligence process where we conclude whether it can be consumated, for want of a better word.”
