Allegations of abuse at centre accused of ‘extreme religious practices’ raised in WA before Coalition’s $4m grant

Exclusive: State officials heard claims about Esther Foundation in 2018 before Scott Morrison announced funding in 2019, inquiry told

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Health authorities in Western Australia heard allegations of abuse at the Esther Foundation in 2018 – well before the Morrison government awarded the foundation a $4m grant.

The grant to the religious rehabilitation centre, which has been accused of exorcisms and gay conversion practices, was part of the $2bn Community Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP). The national audit office this week accused the former government of deliberately breaching the CHHP guidelines, giving out grants likely to be unlawful, and falling short of “ethical requirements”.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup