Kevin Rudd accused of turning US embassy into a party palace

Former PM and now our ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has been accused of turning the Washington embassy into a ‘party house’, with thousands of dollars spent on booze, butlers and a barbecue.

Former prime minister and now Australia’s Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has been accused of turning the embassy into a “party house”, with internal department documents revealing how thousands of dollars have been spent on booze, butlers and a barbecue.

Invoices released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade show it cost $15,340 for a new barbecue.

Meanwhile, the embassy has received hundreds of thousands in corporate sponsorship from businesses to fund “a series of events.”

Emails between department officials reveal extensive discussions between September last year and April this year about the model of barbecue and whether modifications would need to be made to the embassy to ensure it did not pose a work, health and safety risk.

“Is it possible to visually confirm that the shop drawings match the as-built system, ie that there is no risk that setting off the sprinkler above the BBQ will result in saturating the Eddie Mabo Lounge?” one email said.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd is now Australia’s ambassador to the US. Picture: Martin Ollman

Separate invoices can be revealed for events at the embassy, including a dinner for 20 guests and a cocktail reception for 45 guests, both held in May.

Despite the massive guest list for the events, documents released by DFAT only show costs for $1100 and $540 for the two events.

Soprano Amy Manford performed at the gala. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The documents also reveal how, in the same month, just over $2000 was spent on 12 “butlers” from Nellys Professional Staff.

The receipts show an “Aus Res Butler Service” was engaged for four hours each, to serve food and drinks and undertake general duties.

A separate invoice for May was for 35 bottles of alcohol totalling $584, including bottles of Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay, Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet and Jansz Brut Cuvee.

DFAT has confirmed ACTU Secretary Sally McManus attended two events at the Ambassador’s Residence during her time in Washington DC, including a one-on-one meeting with Mr Rudd and an afternoon tea, costing $1764.

The Sunday Telegraph asked if these costs have all been paid for by the taxpayer, but a spokesman for Mr Rudd clarified that only a separate event – the inaugural “Embassy of Australia Awards” — was not paid for by the taxpayer and instead paid for by sponsorships.

The awards gala was held at the embassy in January at a cost of nearly $300,000, which included a payment of more than $25,000 to Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs for her role as MC.

The receipts also included a fee of $24,000 paid to Creative Artists Agency, which represents Australian soprano Amy Manford for her singing performance on the night.

DFAT declared the cost for the event – attended by 200 – was drawn from a sponsorship fund for the embassy.

It said the embassy had received $US775,000 in sponsorship from a number of companies to specifically fund “a series of events to mark the opening of the new embassy”.

Rudd welcoming ACTU secretary Sally McManus. Picture: Supplied.

Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs. Picture: Yasmin Mund

Opposition waste spokesman James Stevens said: “Kevin Rudd is having quite the time in Washington, turning the Australian Embassy into a party house … from pride parties to glitzy gala dinners, Rudd’s reputation for indulging in fun and frivolity is well and truly intact.”

Mr Rudd promoted the black-tie gala event on social media as the “first ever Australian Embassy Gala”, bringing “a taste of Australia to Washington DC”.

The former PM has been under fire for spending about $23,000 on a Pride party at his White Oaks residence, including on balloons, catering and two drag queens.

Mr Rudd and drag queen DJ Kitty Glitter in a picture posted to social media about the Pride party. Picture: Supplied

A DFAT spokesman said the Australian Embassy had been used for “public diplomacy events” under “all ambassadors” to “promote and build a better understanding of Australia and Australian government policies in the US”.

“Hosting events that draw attendance from diverse, influential stakeholders is a core part of diplomacy and advancing Australia’s policies, priorities and interests,” they said.

They said the barbecue had been a part of the building’s design since 2017. The BBQ was installed in July 2024.

They said Mr Rudd had been made aware of questions about the events.

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