The Australian Federal Government has defended spending AUD$20 million of Australian taxpayers’ money on a global climate conference being held in Fiji, arguing Australia’s involvement is “critical to our nation’s future”.
7News Sydney reports that Energy Minister Chris Bowen has agreed to cover the costs of this year’s United Nations COP Pre-Summit, despite the event not taking place in Australia.
More than AUD$17 million will reportedly be spent on event management, with a further AUD$2 million allocated for broadcasting services and another AUD$2 million for resort accommodation.
Bowen has invited world leaders from the US, China, France, Japan, and the UK to attend, but none has confirmed they will come to the meeting held in Fiji.
Australian Housing Minister Clare O’Neil defended the spending on Sunrise, saying Australia needs to be leading discussions around climate.
She says this conference is about Australia playing a leadership role in determining the world’s climate future, literally shaping the question of the kind of Australia that her children are going to grow up in.
She adds whether we like it or not, these agreements will help determine things like how frequent and serious natural disasters are in our country, the livelihood of Australian farmers, the extent of erosion that we see around our country.
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash slammed the spending as an “absolute disgrace” while Australians struggled with cost-of-living pressures.
Cash says you actually can’t make this up - luxury resorts, luxury islands, event planners, and Chris Bowen spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
Cash called on the government to focus on domestic priorities, including lowering household energy costs.
