The organisation behind the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) has announced that an independent investigation into claims of financial mismanagement found “no credible evidence” of any wrongdoing. The whistleblower who raised the allegations has resigned in protest, criticising the internal process.
In August, Guardian Australia reported on whistleblower complaints regarding the global radio astronomy project, including claims that funds had been lost through external trading accounts and procurement issues. On Monday, the SKAO released findings from an investigation conducted under its whistleblower policy by international law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB), which concluded that none of the allegations were upheld.
SKAO council chair Dr Filippo Zerbi stated that the report found the whistleblower “fundamentally misunderstood accepted financial and accounting practices”. He emphasised that SPB was given unrestricted access to all material and personnel, and that strict barriers were put in place to address any potential conflict of interest given SKAO was an existing client of the firm.
The whistleblower resigned this week, accusing the organisation of a “constructive dismissal” and claiming the handling of his case reflected a culture “where accountability is punished and transparency suppressed”. In a letter to SKAO member nations, he noted that his case is now the subject of an internal employment tribunal.
Dr Zerbi defended the process, saying it demonstrated “the strength of the SKAO as an organisation and its policies”. The SKAO is a €2bn (A$3.6bn) international project involving 16 member nations, tasked with mapping the first billion years of the universe. The Australian government’s contribution has blown out by more than $150m from 2020 to 2024, partly due to funding shortfalls.
