Kevin Rudd, now Australia’s ambassador to the US, has been slammed for his ‘proclivity for partying’ after staging a Pleasure gala much more lavish – and dear – than the final.
Final 12 months, Mr Rudd, 66, threw an extravagant ‘satisfaction occasion’ at his White Oaks residence in Washington which value taxpayers upwards of $23,000, triggering accusations he had turned the embassy right into a ‘occasion home’.
However it’s now been revealed this 12 months’s fete held on June 13 noticed the leisure finances blow out to greater than $64,000.
Public cash was splurged on hiring a Eurovision act, drag queens ‘Kitty Glitter’ and ‘Crystal Edge’ at a value of $3,500, and a staggering $20,000 on finger meals.
The caterers supplied an array of petite Aussie classics together with ‘mini rooster parmas’, ‘mini BLTs’ and ‘honey mint lamb bites’ for the 200 company over two-and-a-half hours, plus ‘stuffed lammies’ arrived for dessert.
The Division of International Affairs and Commerce (DFAT) was additionally billed $6,000 for a illustration of Australian beers, wine, and spirits.
Attendees had been provided curated ales from Bent Spoke and Coopers, Yalumba Sauvignon Blanc and Tasmanian Jansz Brut Cuvée.
A balloon arch, a photographer to doc the occasion, photograph sales space and magnets had been invoiced to just about $3,900.
Australia’s Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd is seen on the ‘occasion home’ Australian embassy in June this 12 months at his Pleasure celebration
Mr Rudd (pictured throughout his 2023 satisfaction occasion) spent upwards of $64,000 on the 2024 gala
South Australian electro-soul duo Electrical Fields carried out for $10,000, arriving recent from this years’ Eurovision track contest.
‘Numerous, LGBTQ, Veteran Owned Facility Accomplice’ cleansing firm Amenities Companions and Options then got here in ‘after hours’ to wash the Embassy’s atrium.
Stage, sound and lighting technicians value a reported whole of $21,000 for the occasion and lodge rooms for company value $2,700.
The federal opposition acquired the costings below freedom of knowledge legal guidelines, which have since been obtained by Day by day Mail Australia.
Federal Opposition MP James Stevens stated Mr Rudd, who was identified for the lengthy hours he and beleagured workers labored whereas he was Prime Minister, had let his hair down within the US.
‘There are lots of vital points of the ambassador’s position, however all we appear to listen to about is Dr Rudd’s proclivity for partying,’ he informed the Day by day Telegraph.
‘Anthony Albanese should clarify why he thinks it’s acceptable for his ambassador to spend our cash on this method, when on a regular basis Australians are struggling by way of Labor’s lengthy and painful cost-of-living disaster.’
Drag DJ Kitty Glitter and performer Crystal Edge carried out on the lavish Pleasure gala
MP James Stevens stated Mr Rudd has a ‘proclivity for partying’ and questioned his spending
The diplomatic gala bridged World Pleasure celebrations in Australia and subsequent 12 months’s occasion set to be held in Washington.
DFAT stated Australian embassies and diplomats ‘commonly’ host features for influential stakeholders.
‘Celebrating Pleasure Month has been an integral a part of the Australian Embassy in Washington DC’s public diplomacy since 2017,’ the division stated.
A key ingredient of this has been internet hosting a Pleasure Reception which started in 2021 on the Deputy Chief of Mission’s Residence and which has grown in dimension and stature since then.
‘In 2024, the Embassy’s Pleasure occasion once more hosted by the Deputy Chief of Mission was intentionally designed to mark the handover from Sydney WorldPride to subsequent 12 months’s WorldPride host, Washington DC and included lots of of company from Congress and throughout authorities, media and the personal sector.’
The Australian Ambassador beforehand confronted criticism for the acquisition of a $15,000 barbecue and the quantity spent on events, butlers and alcohol on the embassy.
Mr Rudd’s bills, although, nonetheless got here in below finances in 2023 and a lot of prices had been lined by company sponsorships.
The previous Australian prime minister stated his spending represented a ’25 per cent discount’ on the quantity spent earlier than the pandemic.
Day by day Mail Australia has contacted DFAT for remark.
