Ex-PM Kevin Rudd’s $24,000 expenses in one day as US ambassador

Australia’s Ambassador to the US billed Aussie taxpayers $24,000 in a single day for formal dinners, breakfasts, morning teas and a reception at his Washington DC digs. See the list of expenses here.

Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd billed Aussie taxpayers $US15,000 in a single day for formal dinners, breakfasts, morning teas and a reception at his Washington DC digs – as it can be revealed the former Prime Minister spent more than $US107,000 in the past financial year to wine and dine dignitaries.

The ambassador’s expenses, released under Freedom of Information laws, revealed a laundry list of events, as well as “casual drinks”, VIP social clubs and general supplies that were paid for by the Australian taxpayer in the past financial year.

The total figure spent by Mr Rudd came in at $US107,000, which would convert to approximately $A172,000 at Friday’s exchange rate.

However, dozens of listings detailing who Mr Rudd had met with were heavily redacted because their publication would “have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency”.

On October 1, 2023 Mr Rudd billed taxpayers a combined $US15,000 – $A24,000 – for a list of 17 expenses, including dinners, breakfasts, morning teas and a $US10,500 190-person reception “in honour of the US-Pacific Island Countries Leader’s Summit”. The Summit was hosted by US President Joe Biden in September 2023.

Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd. Picture: Benedict Brook

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman confirmed Australia hosted a reception at Mr Rudd’s residence for Pacific leaders which was included in the White House official ­program.

Taxpayers also footed the bill for Mr Rudd’s wife, Therese Rein, to tour the National Gallery of Art with the Pacific Islands First Ladies on September 25, as well as a “morning tea” between Ms Rein and Dr John Blaxland of the Australian National University.

Mr Rudd also hosted a dinner for the crew of the hit Australian TV show, Bluey, who were touring the US in November 2023.

Meanwhile, more than $US4700 – $7600 – was spent in taxpayer funds on a “holiday reception for VIP invite-only DC-based social clubs”.

In December, The Sunday Telegraph revealed Mr Rudd had hosted several meetings with “DC-based China experts” and spent taxpayer funds on Christmas decorations and cards.

In 2016, it was revealed former Australian Ambassadors to the US Kim Beazley and Joe Hockey charged taxpayers $US121,000 for expenses in the post for the 2015-16 financial year.

Australian Taxpayers Alliance president Brian Marlow told The Saturday Telegraph he had serious concerns with such spending of taxpayer money.

A DFAT spokeswoman told News Corp that all “Heads of Mission at Australian embassies” hosted events attended by influential stakeholders to advance Australia’s national interests.

“Ambassador Rudd’s expenditure is consistent with previous ambassadors to the United States of America and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s financial policies and guidelines,” the spokeswoman said.

President-elect Donald Trump said in March that Mr Rudd “won’t be there long” as ambassador if Trump was returned to power.