Australia’s Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen appeared to close his eyes repeatedly during a taxpayer-funded climate event in Fiji, prompting criticism from the federal opposition.
The gathering, reportedly carrying an estimated price tag of $20 million, was organised as a lead-up to the United Nations’ annual COP climate summit in November.
Although the main COP conference will take place in Antalya, Turkey, the Albanese government is spending millions on accommodation, event management and logistics for the preliminary meeting in the Pacific.
Bowen was expected to address the push for greater electrification across the region and was scheduled to appear alongside former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard and former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
Footage from the event, held at an upscale resort, appeared to show the minister closing his eyes several times while seated among the audience.
Despite the event’s substantial cost, only two leaders from outside the Pacific—those of Mauritius and Timor-Leste—had confirmed their attendance at the key meeting in Tuvalu.
About 4,000 climate campaigners, officials and bureaucrats were expected to attend, along with 14 government leaders or heads of state, journalists and representatives of international organisations.
Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan mocked the footage in comments to News24, saying: “He was dreaming of what the meeting might be like if some leaders had turned up.”
“He’s obviously had a big day. No leaders have turned up, so he’s been by the pool on the banana lounge sipping a few cocktails,” Tehan said.
Australia’s Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen appeared to fall asleep during the taxpayer-funded climate gathering in Fiji.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.
“You seriously can’t make this stuff up, can you? It is beyond farcical,” Tehan said.
The Fiji talks formed part of a compromise after Turkey defeated a joint Australian-Pacific bid to host the main COP31 summit.
Critics argue that Australian taxpayers are funding an overseas warm-up meeting whose economic benefits will flow to Fiji, while the main conference is ultimately being held in Turkey.
Government procurement records show that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water reserved rooms at several high-end Fiji resorts for the conference.
The department signed a $2,113,467 contract with Barton Pte Limited, the operator of the five-star Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort on Denarau Island.
Daily Mail political editor Peter van Onselen described the gathering as “the conference before the conference”, questioning why one major international climate meeting was not considered sufficient.
“Australian taxpayers are underwriting an offshore warm-up meeting, the economic benefits of which flow to Fiji and the actual conference will be held in Turkey,” van Onselen said.
The procurement documents indicate that the department booked accommodation across a number of luxury Fiji resorts ahead of the summit.
About $5.6 million is earmarked for accommodation as part of the event’s estimated $19.8 million total cost.
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The department signed a $2,113,467 contract with Barton Pte Limited, operator of the five-star Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort on Denarau Island.
The venue boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts and ‘lagoon-style’ pools.
Another $2,083,706 contract went to Richmond Pte Limited, which operates the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa and the luxury Vatu Tale.
The Sofitel Fiji has five restaurants with flavours ‘inspired by local and seasonal ingredients from France, Fiji and the Far East’.
The department also entered into contracts worth $995,650 with the four-star Crowne Plaza Fiji and Nadi Bay Resort.
Other records show an additional $172,890 was spent at the Wyndham Garden Wailoaloa Beach, $102,749 at Warwick Hotels and Resorts, $94,157 at Tanoa International Hotel, $90,850 at Novotel Nadi and $19,866 at the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji.
Accommodation contracts alone total more than $5.6million.
Van Onselen said the spending is a disgrace.
Peter van Onselen said it was a disgrace Aussie taxpayers were funding the conference
‘While Australians battle mortgage stress, soaring grocery bills and crippling energy prices, international bureaucrats will be enjoying five-star beachfront resorts, an 18-hole golf course, wellness facilities, lagoon pools and even an in-house nightclub.
‘There’s also more than a whiff of parody in flying scores of delegates to a tropical island to discuss reducing emissions.
‘Adding insult to injury, the accommodation and venue expenditure won’t do anything for Australian hotels, conference operators or tourism workers.
‘Had the event been held here, the government could at least argue that the money would circulate through the domestic economy.
‘Instead, Australian taxpayers are underwriting an offshore warm-up meeting, the economic benefits of which flow to Fiji and the actual conference will be held in Turkey.’