Travel documents have revealed that Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, has accumulated a $150,000 taxpayer-funded travel bill since his appointment. Ambassador Rudd’s trips have spanned Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Singapore, as well as two return visits to Australia. He has also travelled to Saipan, a remote island in the Pacific, to accompany WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s return to Australia, incurring almost $30,000 in that process.
Opposition waste spokesman, James Stevens, said “Anthony Albanese’s captain’s call to appoint Kevin Rudd as Australia’s Ambassador to the US was a costly one.
“From glitzy gala dinners to flying around the world in private jets, Kevin Rudd is living a life of luxury and indulgence at the Australian taxpayer’s expense.
“Mr Rudd’s reputation for lavish parties and high living could not be further from the experience of Australian families who are struggling to pay their mortgages, rent and electricity bills under the Albanese Government.
“Everyday Australians would be horrified to learn that their tax dollars are being spent on such largesse and Anthony Albanese must explain to the Australian public why he thinks it is appropriate for their money to be spent in this way,” Mr Stevens said.
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