Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, has been accused of turning the embassy in Washington into a “party room” and his expenses have now been revealed.
The former prime minister, who was appointed ambassador in March 2023, has spent thousands of dollars on parties, butlers and alcohol at the embassy.
One of Mr Rudd’s most notable expenses was a $15,340 barbecue, about which several emails were sent between September last year and April this year.
Discussions focused on whether the barbecue needed to be modified to meet the embassy’s workplace health and safety measures before it was installed in June this year.
“Is it possible to visually confirm that the workshop drawings match the as-built system, ie there is no risk that activating the sprinkler above the BBQ will result in the Eddie Mabo Lounge becoming saturated?” an email read. Daily Telegraph reported.
What makes the matter even more troubling is the fact that the embassy received hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate sponsorship for a “series of events.”
The documents released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also show invoices for $1,100 and $540 for two events held in May: a dinner for 20 guests and a cocktail reception for 45 guests.
That same month, the embassy paid just over $2,000 for 12 “butlers” from Nelly’s Professional Staff, who each worked four hours.
Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, has come under fire for lavish spending on turning the embassy into a “party hall”
Mr Rudd (pictured at his $23,000 Pride party) was appointed ambassador in March 2023
Another invoice showed an expense of $584 for 35 bottles of alcohol, including bottles of Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay, Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet and Jansz Brut Cuvee.
Sally McManus, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, attended two lavish events at the embassy: a personal meeting with Mr Rudd and an afternoon tea, which cost $1,764.
When asked by the Telegraph how the events were funded, a spokesman for Mr Rudd said only that a separate event – the first Embassy of Australia Awards – was paid for by sponsors.
Mr Rudd called the gala, where the awards were presented in black tie, “the Australian Embassy’s first ever gala”, bringing “a taste of Australia to Washington DC”.
The event cost almost $300,000, including a $25,000 salary for Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs for her role as MC and $24,000 for Creative Artists Agency for a performance by Australian soprano Amy Manford.
According to DFAT, the costs for the event come from a sponsorship fund for the embassy.
The ministry claimed the embassy had received $775,000 in sponsorship money for “a series of events to mark the opening of the new embassy.”
James Stevens, spokesman for the opposition against waste, told the magazine: ‘Kevin Rudd is having a great time in Washington, where he is turning the Australian embassy into a party venue.
‘From pride parties to lavish gala dinners, Rudd’s reputation for fun and frivolity is still intact.’
A gala with prizes worth almost $300,000 held at the embassy was hailed by Mr Rudd (pictured) as ‘the first ever Australian embassy gala’, bringing ‘a taste of Australia to Washington DC’
Another expensive event Mr Rudd hosted was a $23,000 Pride party at his White Oaks home, featuring two drag queens, balloons and catering.
According to DFAT, the Australian embassy was used for “public diplomatic events” among “all ambassadors” to “promote and create a better understanding of Australia and Australian government policy in the US”.
“Hosting events that bring together a diverse range of influential stakeholders is an important part of diplomacy and advancing Australian policies, priorities and interests,” the spokesperson said.