Anthony Albanese's ambassador accused of running a 'party house' in the US embassy – his extraordinary spending list revealed

Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd was accused of turning the embassy in Washington into a “party house” when his spending was disclosed.

The former prime minister, who was appointed ambassador in March 2023, has spent thousands of dollars on parties, butlers and alcohol at the embassy.

One of Mr Rudd's most notable expenses was a $15,340 barbecue, which was the subject of several emails between September last year and April this year.

The subject of the discussions was the question of whether the grill would need to be adapted to the embassy's occupational health and safety measures before its installation in June this year.

“Is it possible to visually confirm that the workshop drawings match the system actually fitted, i.e. that there is no risk that the activation of the sprinkler system above the grill would result in the Eddie Mabo Lounge being wet?” it said in an email, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Even more worrying is the fact that the embassy has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate sponsorship for a “series of events.”

The documents released by the Department of State and Commerce also revealed bills of $1,100 and $540, respectively, for two events held in May: a dinner for 20 guests and a cocktail reception for 45 guests.

That same month, the embassy paid just over $2,000 for twelve “butlers” from Nelly’s professional staff, each working four hours.

Mr Rudd (pictured during his $23,000 Pride party) was appointed ambassador in March 2023

Another invoice listed a $584 shopping spree for 35 bottles of alcohol, including bottles of Penfolds Max's Chardonnay, Penfolds Max's Shiraz Cabernet and Jansz Brut Cuvee.

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus attended two luxury events hosted by the embassy – a one-on-one meeting with Mr Rudd and an afternoon tea costing $1,764.

Despite the high costs, Mr Rudd's office has since claimed that the ambassador's allowance was “actually underspent” in 2023.

When asked by the Telegraph how the events were funded, a spokesman for Mr Rudd would only say that a separate event – the inaugural Embassy of Australia Awards – was paid for by sponsors.

Mr Rudd hailed the black-tie gala at the awards ceremony as “the first-ever Australian Embassy gala” that will bring “a taste of Australia to Washington DC”.

The cost of the event was almost $300,000, which included a $25,000 fee to Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs for her role as MC and $24,000 to Creative Artists Agency for a performance by Australian soprano Amy Manford.

DFAT said the event's costs were covered by an embassy sponsorship fund.

The ministry said the embassy received $775,000 in sponsorship for “a series of events to mark the opening of the new embassy.”

James Stevens, opposition spokesman on waste management, told the newspaper: “Kevin Rudd is having a lot of fun in Washington and is turning the Australian embassy into a party headquarters.”

“From the gay pride party to the glamorous gala dinner, Rudd's reputation for enjoying fun and frivolity is fully intact.”

Another expensive event hosted by Mr Rudd was a $23,000 Pride party at his White Oaks residence, which featured balloons and catering as well as two drag queens.

According to DFAT, the Australian Embassy was used for “public diplomacy events” under the leadership of “all ambassadors” to “promote and build a better understanding of Australia and Australian Government policies in the United States”.

“Hosting events with participants from diverse, influential stakeholders is a central part of diplomacy and advancing Australia’s policies, priorities and interests,” the spokesman said.

James Stevens, opposition spokesman on waste, said: “Kevin Rudd is having a lot of fun in Washington (pictured), turning the Australian embassy into a party headquarters.”

A nearly $300,000 black-tie gala and awards ceremony at the embassy was touted by Mr Rudd (pictured) as “the first Australian Embassy gala” that would bring “a taste of Australia to Washington DC”.

Mr Rudd's office released a statement on Sunday clarifying that his “allowance was in fact too low last year” and defending the lavish gala.

“The front-page article suggests that this year's Australia Day celebration at the new embassy building in Washington was a sign of the embassy 'squandering' taxpayers' money,” it said.

“This event could have been paid for by the embassy, ​​as is common practice with Australia Day events around the world, but in fact it was funded by a corporate sponsorship organised by the embassy.”

“The article suggests that Dr Rudd somehow overused his ambassadorial allowance. In fact, Dr Rudd's spending represents a real-terms reduction of 25 percent from the level he spent before the pandemic.”