Chris Bowen’s $20m Fiji climate summit sparks taxpayer row as Michaelia Cash blasts Labor

Australian taxpayers will foot a staggering $20 million bill for a major United Nations climate event in Fiji, sparking a fiery political clash over whether the pricey summit represents leadership or a luxury expense Australians can ill afford.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has agreed to cover the costs of this year’s UN climate pre-summit, with more than $17 million reportedly earmarked for event management, about $2 million for broadcasting services and another $2 million for resort accommodation.

Mr Bowen has invited world leaders from the United States, China, France, Japan and the United Kingdom to attend, although it has been reported that none had so far confirmed they would be there.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil was forced to defend the expenditure on Wednesday, arguing Australia had an enormous stake in international efforts to tackle climate change.

“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 my children are going to grow up in,” she told Sunrise.

Asked directly whether the $20 million represented value for money for taxpayers, Ms O’Neil acknowledged the hefty price tag but insisted the discussions were critical to Australia’s future.

“I understand people look at these dollars and it feels like a lot of money. And I, I really respect and appreciate that. But these are critically important conversations. And we do need Australia to be at the front of the discussion and leading the world onto a better path here.”

But Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash unleashed on the Government over the spending, arguing struggling Australians would be furious to see their money going towards resort accommodation and event management overseas.

“Luxury resorts, luxury islands, you know, event planners. Chris Bowen spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money. It is an absolute disgrace, quite frankly,” Senator Cash said.

“Australians are just sick and tired of the Labor government splashing around their hard-earned money while they struggle to pay their power bills, Nat, while they struggle to pay their mortgage, while they’re cutting back at the supermarket.”

Senator Cash urged the Government to instead focus on bringing down household energy costs, accusing Labor of having an “ideological obsession” with its energy agenda.

The debate became even more heated when Ms O’Neil was asked whether the event could simply have been conducted virtually, given the reported $2 million broadcasting bill and lack of confirmed attendance from major world leaders.

Ms O’Neil rejected the suggestion and accused the Coalition of attempting to diminish the importance of climate action.

“It is absolutely in our national interest to lead this conversation globally. And that’s what we’re doing,” she said.

But Senator Cash was having none of it.

“Only a true socialist could say what just came out of Clare’s mouth. Luxury hotels, resort islands. You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said.

Ms O’Neil laughed off the attack, responding, “Absolutely made my day only. To be called a socialist by Michaelia socialist. This is. This is a highlight of my day. Thank you so much. I love it really.”