Labor ministers spent $150k on hospitality events in three months
The Albanese government spent more than $150,000 in just three months on functions and hospitality that included events to ‘introduce themselves’ in their new portfolios. Have your say.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Albanese government spent more than $150,000 in just three months on functions and hospitality that included events to “introduce themselves” to public servants and stakeholders in their new portfolios.
In spending the Opposition has labelled reminiscent of the Gough Whitlam government, between June and August more than $10,000 was spent on morning teas to introduce ministers Penny Wong, Mark Butler, Annika Wells, Mark Dreyfus and Tony Burke to departmental staff.
In the same period, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s department spent another $41,421.26 on a conference for its own staff, including more than $15,000 on food and alcohol.
Recipients of Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ departmental hospitality included 23 Australian Government solicitors and 49 guests at an end-of-financial-year cocktail party in Perth that set taxpayers back $4300.
Taxpayers also spent nearly $1000 on a dinner for the Attorney-General to host members of the Family Law Council at the National Press Club in Canberra.
Mr Burke was also out and about introducing himself to stakeholders in the arts portfolio, spending almost $40,000 on 14 town hall meetings with “artists and workers in the arts, entertainment and cultural sector” alongside Special Envoy for the Arts Susan Templeman.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong wined and dined stakeholders at a total cost to taxpayers of $29,784, including, $5846 on a reception for provincial politicians in Kota Kinablu, Malaysia, $6898 for a “networking brunch” in Kuala Lumpur, and $2500 on lunch with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency at George’s on Waymouth, in Adelaide.
She also spent $6735 hosting a cocktail party for foreign diplomats, as well as $3180 on a function to introduce herself to her own staff at DFAT HQ in Canberra, and $4625 on a get-together with NGOs featuring $3588 worth of coffee, tea and finger food.
The Foreign Affairs Minister was not the only Albanese government minister to host foreign dignitaries.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland also spent $13,234.50 on a reception for foreign diplomats which included $4005 worth of canapes and $3026 worth of alcohol.
The reception was in aid of Australia’s successful bid for re-election to the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union, the agency for telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Health Minister Mark Butler spent $16,568.30 on a health workforce roundtable with doctors and other medicos, including almost $5000 for an unnamed “facilitator”.
Guests included 11 public servants and four members of the Minister’s own staff.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s department spent $41,421.26 on a conference for its own staff, including more than 15 grand on food and booze.
Between them, ministers Mark Butler and Anika Wells spent a combined $7146 introducing themselves to their own departmental staff.
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, who put the questions to the ministers, said the spending showed a disregard for the public finances.
“It looks like the Albanese government is living it up in the best traditions of Labor governments, going all the way back to the Whitlam era,” she said.
“The government talks a big game about being sound economic managers, but this type of spending on cocktail parties, functions and conferences, exposes what they are really like.”
A spokesman for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Government adhered to all rules and guidelines to ensure all departmental expenditure was appropriate.
“These are not unusual events, especially for a new government,” he said.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
Coalition slams bureaucrats’ $25,000 ‘drama classes’
Services Australia staff were treated to lessons from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, under a nine-day $25,000 contract.
Man flashes penis to cops before threatening to bash social worker
A man with an extensive criminal history who threatened to bash a social worker at a Central Coast resort has fronted court after flashing his penis to police and hitting his girlfriend.