‘Absolute scandal’: how does restoring a ship help endangered species?

The government is providing $255m to projects it says will benefit threatened animals and plants - yet there is little chance the species actually occur at many of the sites

" 'A national disgrace': Australia's extinction crisis is unfolding in plain sight

The Polly Woodside, a three-masted historic cargo ship built in 1885, is a prominent feature of Melbourne's south wharf. It's a site for tour groups, birthday parties, and an event known as pirate day held on the first Sunday of every month.

According to the federal government, the vessel has also been the location for some of its $255m worth of work protecting threatened species since the appointment of Australia's first threatened species commissioner in 2014.