Mining giant given millions in grant by Coalition from fund for Indigenous disadvantageMining giant Fortescue Metals, retail giant Wesfarmers, two NRL clubs, and Catholic and Anglican welfare organisations were awarded millions of dollars from a fund for alleviating Indigenous disadvantage. The funds from the federal government’s controversial Indigenous advancement strategy were approved on 5 April 2019, just six days before the Morrison government went into caretaker mode. Nigel Scullion approved $560m in grants in lead-up to election Read moreIn the six weeks from 1 March to 11 April, Scullion approved 240 grants worth around $567m, including the one-off grant to Fortescue. Scullion also approved more than $15m to retailer Wesfarmers over four years to support Indigenous employment in its businesses, including Coles, Target, Kmart and Bunnings. The Fortescue Metals CEO, Elizabeth Gaines, said the company had received various funding grants from prime minister and cabinet since 2006 to support employment.

Source: The Guardian March 09, 2020 07:09 UTC