Utopia star paid $15k to talk to Infrastructure boffins

She’s best known for playing an infrastructure department boffin in hit ABC comedy Utopia. Now comedian Celia Pacquola has been paid $15,000 to speak to the real life Department of Infrastructure.

The Department of Infrastructure spent more than $15,000 of taxpayer dollars for a presentation from a comedian known for a TV show about a fictional and dysfunctional version of the same department.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts has spent more than $1.3m on external professional development and training since July 1 last year.

But one particular visit has raised eyebrows, with the Department spending $15,531 to hear from Celia Pacquola.

Ms Pacquola is best known for her role in Australia television comedy Utopia, which is about a fictional version of the Department of Infrastructure.

Celia Pacquola and Rebecca Massey in a scene from the TV series Utopia. Supplied by ABC TV/Hwa Goh.

The expense, found under the Freedom of Information Act, prompted questions about why the department was paying to hear from actors from a show which mocked it.

The show follows a team of bureaucrats who are more interested in self-interest, publicity stunts, and fads such as staff being visited by yoga experts, plant consultants and other unnecessary workshops.

Ms Pacquola works as a master of ceremonies, comedian and does “fireside chats” on mental health and anxiety, according to her speaker website.

Rob Sitch, Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor from Utopia.

The website also featured a testimonial from the department which claimed Ms Pacquola had met with staff to talk about mental health.

“Having Celia share her experiences with mental health opened hearts around the office and staff felt they were more understanding, and have more tools to use to talk to their family, friends or colleagues,” the testimonial on the website said.

Another $10,000 was spent on tennis champion Jelena Dokic while $8,000 was spent on media personality Mimi Kwa.

Australian Taxpayers Alliance president Brian Marlow said that professional development was important but a comedian and a sports star were not the most natural choices.

“They paid $15k of taxpayer money for an inside joke but will say its about mental health,” he said referencing Ms Pacquola’s Utopia stint.

“If they cared about mental health in the workplace they would get an expert who deals with that not a comedian.

“These figures tell you that these are just standard fees local celebrities charge for a meet and greet.

“Between a comedian, sports star and presenters they have spent more than $30,000 on people rubbing shoulders with famous people.”

Mr Marlow said he was happy for taxpayer dollars to be used on professional development and wellbeing but it should be spent on improving outcomes.

Coalition infrastructure spokesman Bridget McKenzie said the government was “out of touch” with everyday Australians.

“Does Catherine King approve of this use of taxpayers money?” she said.

“Here’s an idea — what about getting advice from people who actually build things?

“You can’t make this up.”

A Department spokesman said Ms Pacquola was invited as part of Mental Health and Safe Work month.

“Celia Pacquola appeared as part of Mental Health and Safe Work month 2023, presenting to staff on her experiences and learnings dealing with mental health challenges, and working on the television series ‘The Truth About Anxiety’,” they said.

“The Department is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of its staff and will continue to initiate events and activities that promote open, honest conversations about mental health in our workplace.”