The federal department in charge of overseeing all finances given to Indigenous organisations and programs has said they are satisfied with their current funding criteria, despite significant funds going to non-Indigenous private entities making large profits.
The National Indigenous Times can reveal the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has committed more than $25 million dollars to the NRL and two of its clubs.
The Brisbane Broncos will receive $17.41 million until the end of 2025 to deliver two programs, despite the club recording a net profit after tax last year of $5.63 million.
Furthermore, the NRL, which reported a $58.2million operating surplus for the 2023 financial year, has claimed $7.98 million of a possible $11.08 million for their Tailored Assistance Employment Grant (TAEG).
The North Queensland Cowboys received $1 million between 2022 and 2024 to deliver the "Cowboys School Attendance and Transition Project". The Cowboys Rugby League Football Ltd profit for the 2023 year amounted to $2.67 million, according to the Cowboy Leagues Club annual report.
In 2023, the club saw a profit margin of 63 per cent.
Much of the funding by the NIAA goes towards a variety of First Nations inclusion activities and programs.
The Broncos delivered two education programs that support First Nations students across Queensland and NSW, while the NRL used funds for the School to Work (S2W) program, a student engagement program helping young Indigenous Australians complete secondary schooling and transition to further education or full-time employment.
It is understood 5,000 Indigenous youth have completed schooling through S2W since its inception in 2012, with a success rate of 95 per cent.
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurring independent senator for Victoria told National Indigenous Times it was inappropriate for organisations - some of which receive revenue from alcohol and gambling companies - to receive "Blak money".
"It's an injustice; it's hypocrisy, particularly when you know we talk about closing the gap and we've got self-determined Aboriginal programs right across this country struggling to survive," Senator Thorpe said.
There is no suggestion any of these organisations have misused the funds, or used them for anything other than their original purpose, however there is no clear understanding on how much of this money is spent on administration costs related to the programs and how much directly goes towards First Nations people.
The NIAA told National Indigenous Times they set out "KPIs for each activity to measure progress against identified outcomes — including Closing the Gap targets".
"To monitor progress of IAS funded activities, the NIAA uses a number of monitoring approaches, including site visits, acquittals and periodic reporting by the provider on the performance of activities," the department said.
With the organisations generating significant profit, questions have been asked about the use of public funds designated for Indigenous people being filtered through private organisations, even if the end results are deemed positive.
The NIAA said they were "satisfied with the performance and delivery of the current IAS [Indigenous Advancement Strategy] funded activities".
"These activities can have a positive impact on Closing the Gap outcomes including school attendance and wellbeing," the NIAA said.
"NIAA funded projects aim to improve educational and employment outcomes, as well as the health and wellbeing of students, through cultural, sport and community engagement."
@natindigtimes Senator Lidia Thorpe has criticised the National Indigenous Australians Agency for channelling millions of dollars into Australia's lucrative sports industries instead of investing in community development. #indigenousaustralia #aboriginalaustralia #auspol #lidiathorpe ♬ original sound - National Indigenous Times
Senator Thorpe disagrees.
She said many of the organisations were "cashing in on Blak money," and argued their social responsibility meant they should be funding programs for Indigenous people out of their own pockets.
"You see a government prioritising for-profit organisations like the Brisbane Broncos…they should all pay it back so that we can use that money to self-determine our own solution," she said, highlighting organisations in the top-end who were closing or struggling due to chronic staff shortages because of underfunding.
"They should be using their social responsibility. I'm sure that they have a nice website that talks about it…However, if they've taken Blak money…it defeats a purpose.
"Our people are dying every day, struggling to put food on the table, we could create employment of our own. And these corporations not only have a social responsibility, but they've got to stop riding on our backs and operating on stolen land and pay the rent."
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, told National Indigenous Times the benefits from sport for Indigenous people extended beyond health and wellbeing.
"Sport is a powerful tool for inspiring and motivating young people to engage with school, training or work," Ms Burney said.
"NIAA funding is for programs that support young First Nations people to stay at school, training or get a job."
The NIAA also help fund a number of not-for-profit organisations linked (directly or implied) with sporting organisations.
These include AFL SportsReady, which has claimed $7.05 million of a possible $13.89 million in committed funds under the TAEG for three employment-based projects; Cowboys Charity Limited, which received approximately $4.85 million between 2020 and 2024 to deliver two education programs at the NRL Cowboys House in Townsville, a boarding facility for First Nations students; and AFL Cape York Limited, which receives $5.53 million to deliver five education programs supporting First Nations students across Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait.
An AFL spokesperson said funds from the NIAA contribute to a "number of important projects across the AFL that support First Nations people and Indigenous communities".
Senator Thorpe said if the organisations were genuine about helping First Nations people, then they should pay for it themselves.
"You don't need Black money to get Black people involved," she said.
"Use your own money and let us use our money to determine what we want to use it for, rather than be dictated to by these corporations who only have, at the end of the day, a financial interest."
The Brisbane Broncos declined to comment.