Environment boss wants reef grant audit

Australia's top environment bureaucrat wants an official investigation into the decision to grant $444 million to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Environment Department secretary Finn Pratt has written to the Auditor-General asking him to bring forward a proposed audit of the grant due to increased public and media attention.

"I consider such an audit has become a priority and ask that you consider approving it going ahead and starting as soon as practicable," Mr Pratt wrote on Monday.