Alexander Downer: Australian High Commissioner to the UK is spending up big

MORE than 65 dinners and lunches listed in official documents hosted by Alexander Downer last financial year, racking up a total bill of almost $120,000.

IT was billed as a formal lunch in honour of Justice Minister Michael Keenan to be held at Australia House in London last November. The host was Australia’s high commissioner to London Alexander Downer.

There would have been nothing unusual about it, and the cost to taxpayers at $997 not deemed overly excessive, had Mr Keenan actually turned up.

The mysterious luncheon and the missing guest of honour was just one of more than 65 dinners and lunches listed in official documents as being hosted by Mr Downer last financial year, racking up a total catering bill of almost $120,000.

Others included an $800 dinner with then treasurer Joe Hockey and a $1200 lunch with Senate President Stephen Parry held at the private residence Stoke Lodge. Even BHP boss Andrew McKenzie enjoyed the taxpayer-funded hospitality with Mr Downer hosting a $2500 dinner for the high-paid CEO.

Former Labor senator Stephen Loosley was among Mr Downer’s guests — he got a $25 breakfast. Then there was the $4500 summer garden party and the $3500 staff Christmas party.

The majority of guests to dine at Stoke Lodge still remain a secret, with the Department of Foreign Affairs refusing to disclose the names of most of the guests to one of Australia’s largest diplomatic missions after Jakarta and Washington.

According to departmental documents obtained under Freedom of Information, Mr Downer hosted 45 catered events at his private residence, Stoke Lodge. The rest, including an $8500 reception for the Australian Cricket Team, were held in the mission’s main building Australia House.

According to the documents, The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade requires: “In order to be admissible functions must be of specific value to Australia.”

Mr Downer hosted 45 catered events at his private residence, Stoke Lodge / Picture: Ben Stevens

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek would not say whether $120,000 a year in catering costs was excessive for the sought-after diplomatic posting. It was not unusual for posts such as London to have several thousand guests a year through the door for functions. But she said Mr Downer “had some explaining to do”.

“In the course of their duties promoting Australia’s interests, our diplomats will incur some costs,” Ms Plibersek said.

“However, it’s very difficult to understand, for example, why Mr Downer thought it was reasonable to spend more than $1000 of taxpayers’ money on lunch for a Liberal government minister, when the minister wasn’t even there.”