Australia’s Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is facing scrutiny over plans to spend more than AUD$4.2 million (US$2.94 million) on accommodation and meeting facilities for foreign delegates attending climate talks in Fiji ahead of COP31.
According to Australian media reports, AusTender documents show AUD$4.2 million (US$2.94 million) has been allocated to secure accommodation and venues for the meetings, which will be held from 05 – 8 October.
The largest allocation, about AUD$2.1 million (US$1.47 million), is for hotel accommodation, lodging and meeting facilities at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort.
A further AUD$2 million (US$1.40 million) has been allocated to secure rooms at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, while AUD$19,800 (US$13,861) has been set aside for accommodation at the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji.
The meetings form part of Australia’s role in leading negotiations ahead of the United Nations climate summit, with Bowen serving as President of the COP31 negotiations.
Australian media reported that while foreign delegations are expected to reimburse accommodation costs, Australia will cover expenses for some participating countries.
Australia’s Department of Climate Change defended the expenditure, saying costs to the Commonwealth would be minimised and recovered.
The department also said the selected venues were the only suitable locations capable of hosting an event of that scale.
The spending has drawn criticism in Australian media, with the expenditure described as a costly exercise for taxpayers.
