Australian diplomats have come beneath fireplace after spending virtually $20,000 for a didgeridoo efficiency to open a promotional sporting occasion abroad.
The Australian Consulate in Chennai, south-east India, spent the sum to ship an Indigenous didgeridoo soloist to the south Asian nation for an occasion in Might celebrating the upcoming Summer season of Cricket.
Paperwork launched to the Coalition beneath Freedom of Data, and seen by the Daily Telegraph, revealed an unbelievable $19,926 was spent on the efficiency by internationally famend musician Ronald Murray.
Mr Murray’s flights, lodging and journey price $8,840 whereas his efficiency price, together with tax and a journey allowance, got here to an astonishing $11,086 – which is known to have been funded by the taxpayer’s pockets.
The ‘excessive’ expenditure was authorized by the Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce simply 5 days earlier than the occasion, which was given a finances of $40,000.
An electronic mail from a DFAT official concerned in securing Mr Murray’s efficiency justified his presence as ‘a style of Australia’s Indigenous tradition’.
Attendees have been additionally handled to a bodily style of Australian wines, lamb and pavlova – a meal many taxpayers might solely dream of amid the continued price of residing disaster.
Coalition waste spokesman James Stevens slammed the leisure invoice as an ‘excessive amount of cash to spend on a short musical efficiency’.
The Australian Consulate in Chennai spent virtually $20,000 on a efficiency from Ronald Murray (pictured)
‘There are a lot of methods to showcase Australian tradition, however flying somebody to India to play the didgeridoo is extravagant and extreme,’ he mentioned.
‘Whereas it is very important showcase Australia’s proud heritage, it might probably actually be executed in a extra inexpensive manner.’
A DFAT spokeswoman argued the spending was essential to ‘promote and construct a greater understanding of Australia and Australian Authorities insurance policies’.
‘Internet hosting prime quality occasions that draw attendance from various, influential stakeholders and showcase Australia as a contemporary and inclusive society is on the core of diplomacy and advancing Australia’s insurance policies, priorities and pursuits internationally,’ she mentioned.
Consul-Basic Silai Zaki shared pictures of the luxurious occasion in Might and described it as a ‘nice evening celebrating’ relations between Australia and India.
‘We introduced collectively senior (Indian) enterprise leaders to debate enterprise engagement and different alternatives on the sidelines of the cricket in (Australia)!’ she mentioned.
‘Their insights have been invaluable. This collection will transcend cricket and foster neighborhood and enterprise collaboration!’
A number of Indian cricket official attended the occasion together with Roger Binny, the Indian President of Board of Management for Cricket.
Every day Mail Australia has contacted DFAT for additional remark.
The information comes simply two weeks after Australia’s Ambassador to america Kevin Rudd was accused of turning the Washington embassy right into a ‘celebration home’.
The previous prime minister, who was appointed as ambassador in March 2023, was discovered to have spent hundreds of {dollars} on events, butlers and alcohol on the embassy.
The extravagant occasion in Might was to have a good time the upcoming Summer season of Cricket
Certainly one of Mr Rudd’s most notable expenditures was a $15,340 barbecue, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The paperwork launched by Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce additionally revealed $1,100 and $540 invoices for 2 occasions held in Might: a dinner internet hosting 20 company and a cocktail reception for 45 company.
That very same month, the embassy paid simply over $2,000 for 12 ‘butlers’ from Nelly’s Skilled Employees, who labored 4 hours every.
Mr Rudd’s workplace claimed the ambassador’s ‘allowance was really underspent’ in 2023.
When questioned by the Telegraph on how the occasions have been funded, a spokesman for Mr Rudd solely mentioned a separate occasion – the inaugural ‘Embassy of Australia Awards’ – was paid by sponsors.
The awards black-tie gala was boasted by Mr Rudd as ‘first ever Australian Embassy Gala’, bringing ‘a style of Australia to Washington DC’.
The occasion price virtually $300,000 with that sum together with a $25,000 pay packet to Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs for her function as MC and $24,000 paid to Inventive Artists Company for a efficiency from Australian soprano Amy Manford.
Mr Rudd’s workplace launched a press release clarifying his ‘allowance was really underspent final yr’ and defended the expensive gala.
An electronic mail from a DFAT official concerned in securing Mr Murray’s efficiency justified his presence as ‘a style of Australia’s Indigenous tradition’
‘The front-page story infers this yr’s Australia Day celebration on the new embassy constructing in Washington confirmed the embassy ‘forking out’ taxpayer funds,’ it mentioned.
‘This occasion might have been paid for by the embassy, as is widespread for Australia Day occasions around the globe, however it was really funded by company sponsorship organized by the embassy.’
