Health official ignored warning about Bridget McKenzie's authority to give sports grants, inquiry told

Email reveals high-level official was told minister might need to formally order Sport Australia to make her decision-maker

A warning about former sports minister Bridget McKenzie's legal authority to give out millions of dollars in grants went to a high-level official in the health department but was ignored, according to new evidence to the sports rorts inquiry.

An email handed to the Senate inquiry reveals that in June 2018 a health department official warned a superior that McKenzie might need to formally order Sport Australia to make her the decision-maker for grants programs. The official suggested the department get legal advice.