funding in her role at the authority.

But the connections between the McKenzies and taxpayer funds run even deeper.

The two companies in the middle that pass the funding on to Gempearl in payment for culling services are both led by Mr McKenzie.

Two corporate governance experts said Ms McKenzie shouldn't be able to keep both her role on the board and her interest in Gempearl.

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How the money flows from the Marine Park Authority to Gempearl

Sorry, this video has expired How money flows from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to Gempearl

The Marine Park Authority selected two companies to receive the funds, in a series of limited tenders.

One of those companies, the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Ltd, has Mr McKenzie onits board. It has received more than $13 million of that funding.

The rest of the $20m has been awarded to a company that is almost entirely run by Mr McKenzie — the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Ltd. Mr McKenzie is the executive director and the company secretary.

A new law passed by both houses of federal Parliament in February this year contains an amendment specifically designed to outlaw conflicts like this.

But three months after that law was passed, Ms McKenzie was re-appointed for a term that would see her continue leading the Marine Park Authority until 2023.

The new law is not yet in effect — that could take until March 2019.

Governance experts approached by the ABC said they thought the situation was unacceptable.

"Really, it's a continuous conflict