Australia’s High Commission to the UK spent $670,000 renovating Stoke Lodge

A top diplomat who cancelled a function celebrating Australia Day in London is living in a $100 million taxpayer-funded mansion that has just undergone a $670,000 renovation.

A top diplomat who cancelled a function celebrating Australia Day in London is living in a $100 million taxpayer-funded mansion that has just undergone a $670,000 renovation.

Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, has held just 30 official events at Stoke Lodge in 2023, the official ambassador’s residence, which is considerably less than the number of events hosted by his predecessor.

The manor is just a 10-minute walk from Kensington Palace and the Royal Albert Hall in central London.

George Brandis held as many as three events a week, including private dinners and meetings at the home, which boasts a generous garden and is in the same street where Winston Churchill lived.

Stoke Lodge near Hyde Park, residence of Australian High Commissioner in London. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

“Australian taxpayers fund embassies, commissions and residences so that they can be used in our national interest, including hosting events that secure jobs and investments for Australia,” opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said.

“There’s little point refurbishing them if they aren’t being effectively used to get outcomes for Australia.

“Hot on the heels of his cancelling a traditional Australia Day event, these further reports will have many wondering whether Anthony Albanese’s personal pick for London is actually doing the job he’s paid to do.”

Mr Smith was forced to backflip on the Australia Day cancellation last week after being overruled by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles.

DFAT confirmed that the official residence recently underwent renovations but stressed the decision to undertake the building work was made prior to Mr Smith’s arrival.

‘Where possible, DFAT schedules works to official residences during transition periods between heads of mission, to enable full use of properties for official events,” a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.

Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK Stephen Smith. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

“Works to Stoke Lodge were commissioned by DFAT in 2022, resulting in the building not being available for public events when the High Commissioner commenced in London, and for a period after his arrival.”

DFAT said Australia Day will still be marked but a charity had decided to not go ahead with a fundraiser.

He cancelled the High Commission’s party during London Pride this year, which has disappointed the UK’s influential LGBT+ community.

The High Commission was also accused of cancelling 100 years of history when he pulled down the portraits of Australia’s previous High Commissioners.

The DFAT spokesperson said the removal of the portraits was a temporary measure designed to allow for the digitisation of the images.

“The portraits of past high commissioners were taken down to be digitised before Mr Smith’s appointment and arrival in London,” the spokesperson said. “The portraits have since been rehung in the High Commission.”

Deputy High Commissioner Elisabeth Bowes, High Commissioner Stephen Smith, Hannah Bretherton, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Josie Haydon at Australia House in London. Source – LinkedIn

The use of Stoke Lodge as a venue for formal occasions took a further blow with the departure of highly respected private chef, Barry Snook.

Mr Snook worked at Stoke Lodge for almost a decade, often catering for high-level sources who did not want to be seen at nearby restaurants where they may be photographed.

Mr Smith sparked outrage last week when he refused to allow an Australia Day party to be held at Australia House in London because of “sensitivities” around holding a celebration on January 26.

He later claimed that the $55,000 cost to run the event was the reason the fundraiser, which previously attracted Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem, was the reason for the knock-back.

Mr Smith has previously said he wanted to end a culture of “parties without purpose” at the High Commission.

He published a list of priorities in May, which was topped by the AUKUS submarine defence pact and an Australia-UK free trade deal, which were both done by Mr Brandis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra said in a statement: “The High Commissioner has hosted over 30 events at the official residence Stoke Lodge in 2023, corresponding to the High Commission’s security and economic priorities.

“A wide range of guests – from Australia, the UK and other nations – attended those events.”

Originally published as Australia’s High Commission to the UK spent $670,000 renovating Stoke Lodge