Anthony Albanese treats world leaders to $60k worth of flowers and entertainment

The Prime Minister treated world leaders to a $40,000 performance at dinner adorned with $18,000 worth of flowers, new documents reveal.

Anthony Albanese splashed out $62,000 on flowers and a musical performance for world leaders at a summit in Melbourne earlier this year.

Documents supplied to the federal opposition through freedom of information requests show the Prime Minister’s office spent $18,000 on the flowers and $44,000 for singer Jess Mauboy.

The major event was a dinner at the 50-year ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit, which brought together 11 prime ministers, presidents and sultans in Melbourne in March. Australia is not a member of ASEAN, rather a “comprehensive strategic partner”.

The 50-year ASEAN special summit was held in Melbourne in March. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

Opposition waste spokesman James Stevens said the floral expense was “remarkable and insulting” amid cost-of-living pressures.

“Albo’s flower power has cost taxpayers more than $60,000 in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Stevens said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, this is just another example of our Prime Minister enjoying himself at the taxpayer’s expense.”

The Prime Minister’s office says the expenditure was in line with similar events, including the 2018 ASEAN conference.

Jessica Mauboy took to the stage, being paid a cool $44,000. Picture: Instagram

Mr Albanese’s office also said two-way trade between Australia and the ASEAN nations totalled $183.4bn last year.

The documents show the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet spent $18,513 on floral arrangements for the leaders and spouses’ dinner at the conference, including a $7000 12m dining table centrepiece.

ARIA-winner Mauboy was also paid $44,000 of taxpayer money to perform.

“What an honour it was to perform at the reception for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne this week,” she posted on social media at the time.

The 10 ASEAN nation leaders, plus Anthony Albanese and the ASEAN secretary-general were treated to a $44,000 performance. Picture: Supplied

“Thank you so much for having me.”

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office said the summit was a “major event commemorating 50 years of our relations with ASEAN” and pointed to the economic value of Australian trade within ASEAN nations.

“All procurement related to the summit was undertaken in accordance with Commonwealth procurement rules,” the statement read.

“Expenditure on the summit was in line with similar-sized events, including the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney.”

Separate publicly available tender documents show hiring the National Gallery of Victoria cost more than $41,000, plus $13,600 for food and drinks.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese treats world leaders to $60k worth of flowers and entertainment