The navy’s troubled $45 billion frigate project has been referred to the anti-corruption watchdog after a scathing auditor-general’s report revealed bureaucrats failed to keep key documents on their decisions that handed the contract to British shipbuilders with an untested design.

While not alleging officials acted corruptly or personally benefited, NSW Greens senator David Shoebridge has referred the project to the National Anti-Corruption Commission in a potential test case for its powers to examine integrity around government decision-making.