Kristin Tilley, the Ambassador for Climate Change, racks up $257K travel bill

The Albanese government’s Ambassador for Climate Change has been accused of “spewing out fuel emissions”, after taking 20 international trips since late 2022.

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The Albanese government’s Ambassador for Climate Change has been accused of “hypocrisy” after racking up a $257,000 travel bill since her appointment, including attending overseas “climate week” events.

Freedom of Information documents obtained by Opposition government waste spokesman James Stevens show Kristin Tilley has taken 20 international trips since November 5 in 2022.

The travel includes a nine-day $27,323 trip to the US for “New York Climate Week” and the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Ms Tilley also travelled to Malta, Switzerland and the United Kingdom for a 12-day trip to attend the KingdomOSCE Conference, meetings with international organisations, “London Climate Week” and “bilateral meetings” at a cost of $24,637.

Kristin Tilley Climate Change Ambassador

Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Christopher Bowen delivers a speech at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre, in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of the same name, during the COP27 climate conference on November 15, 2022. Picture: AFP

There was also a 10-day trip to Antigua and Barbuda to attend the UN Small Island Developing States Conference, which cost $25,279.

Ms Tilley also travelled to Denmark, Belgium and the United Kingdom for a 12-day trip to attend a “climate ministerial” and bilateral meeting at a cost of $24,163.

Other trips included a two-week $10,730 trip to Egypt for COP27, a five-day trip to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum “special leaders meeting that cost $7548, and bilateral visits to India and the Maldives over eight days which cost $17,636.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Pacific Islands Forum. Ms Tilley also attended. Picture: X/ AlboPM

Ms Tilley also accompanied International Development and the Pacific Minister Pat Conroy on a five-day bilateral visit to Vanuatu that cost $4,531.

The government appointed Ms Tilley as Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change as part of a re-election commitment to reinstate the role.

At the time, the government declared the role would demonstrate to the world Australia’s resolve to “urgently step up the pace of action, and work alongside global partners, particularly in the Pacific, to tackle the climate crisis”.

A delegation led by Foreign Minister Penny Wong including Pat Conroy, Michael McCormack and Simon Birmingham meet with Chiefs in Vanuatu for a ceremony as part of a tour of the Pacific region. Picture: DFAT

However, Mr Steven said claimed Ms Tilley was instead “spewing out fuel emissions on monthly international trips”.

“It’s is staggering to see how much carbon dioxide the Australian Government is emitting in pursuit of reducing carbon dioxide emissions,” he said.

“These latest revelations go to show that the main priority of the Albanese Government’s climate change agenda is flying around the world to attend lavish events, summits and jamborees – one of the most carbon-intensive activities you can engage in.

“Our Ambassador for Climate Change could be setting an example, but instead is spewing out fuel emissions on monthly international trips. The irony and hypocrisy is astounding and scandalous.”

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