Fresh details have emerged about the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's controversial $400,000 hotel expenditure for Australian officials attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September.
The revelations come through documents released under freedom of information laws after months of investigation, showing internal confusion within the department about transparency requirements.
AusTender Confusion Revealed
While the travel booking correspondence revealed expected details about the delegation's brief but expensive stay at the Intercontinental New York Barclay, the more revealing material emerged in internal discussions about media inquiries.
A first assistant secretary in DFAT's multilateral policy and human rights division openly questioned why the hotel contract appeared on the AusTender website, stating they "genuinely didn't get" the requirement.
The official's executive assistant then emailed Joanne Loundes, assistant secretary of the budget and policy branch, seeking clarification while admitting "I didn't realise it was on Austender."
Ms Loundes provided the straightforward explanation: "All procurements over $80,000 have to be on Austender, unless there's a reason for a special exemption."
Political Satire Meets Government Relations
In related political developments, social media satirist Punter's Politics is making waves by hiring what it calls "Australia's first punter's lobbyist."
The platform, created by former teacher Konrad Benjamin and boasting nearly half a million Instagram followers, is using $75,000 raised at a Canberra fundraising dinner to employ a government relations professional with a difference.
Benjamin told reporters that while the salary might not compete with traditional lobbying roles, "our true currency is forgiveness of sins." He's seeking a retired gambling lobbyist who "feels a bit bad" about their past work and is willing to provide behind-the-scenes insights into parliamentary processes.
The fundraising event featured a lively panel including ACT Senator David Pocock and Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, who defended her Qantas Chairman's Lounge membership despite criticism.
Transparency Push Meets Resistance
Meanwhile, attempts to increase transparency around political lobbying have encountered unexpected resistance from the Australian Greens.
While the party publicly champions tougher lobbying regulations, Greens MPs joined major parties in ignoring ACT Senator David Pocock's request to voluntarily disclose which individuals they've sponsored for parliamentary access passes.
Independents including Helen Haines and Zali Steggall complied with the transparency initiative, but a Greens spokesperson argued it was "incumbent on the government to close loopholes" in the official register rather than relying on voluntary disclosures.
Nationals-turned-independent MP Andrew Gee questioned the secrecy, stating he was "happy to disclose my pass sponsorships because, as an independent, I believe that the public expects transparency."
Other Political Movements
The article also reveals that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a new electorate office in Grayndler after being evicted from his Marrickville premises, with the relocation attributed to disruptions from pro-Palestine protesters.
Additionally, ACT Independent Senator David Pocock is preparing to move his electorate office from Gunghalin to Dickson after receiving departmental approval.
The piece concludes with observations about the impact of the prolonged US government shutdown on diplomatic activities in Canberra, noting that the US embassy scaled back its usual Halloween celebrations due to budget constraints.
