Revealed: The Shocking Amount of Money Spent by Australia's First Nations Ambassador on Luxury Travel and Limos!
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Australia's First Nations Ambassador, Justin Mohamed, has been under scrutiny for the substantial amount of taxpayer money spent on luxury travel and limousines, raising questions about the effectiveness and transparency of his role in representing Indigenous Australians on the global stage.
The position of First Nations Ambassador, a role that did not exist anywhere in the world before March 2023, was established with the intention of engaging regional partners on the Voice, Treaty, Truth process. However, the relevance of this aspect of the job came into question when Australia voted 'No' to the Voice referendum in October. Despite this, the Albanese government allocated a generous $358,000 travel budget to Mr Mohamed, allowing him and his colleagues to fly business class to various international forums and conferences.
Documents released under Freedom of Information, obtained by Daily Mail Australia, reveal that Mr Mohamed's nine overseas trips during the 2023-24 fiscal year cost a combined $283,000. A single two-week trip to Kansas City and Washington DC amounted to $75,022. These trips included destinations such as New York, Hawaii, San Francisco, Geneva, Dubai, Paris, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. Notably, there was no mention of visits to remote Indigenous communities within Australia.
The expenses, approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), covered not only flights but also $30,000 for hotel accommodations, $13,000 for food and cab fares, and several hundred dollars for private transfers between Mr Mohamed's $2.4 million estate in Gisborne, Victoria, and Melbourne Airport. Additionally, there were charges for private limousine services, including three separate $150 bills for limo companies in Dubai.
The opposition has criticised the spending, with Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price highlighting the disparity between the ambassador's travel expenses and the realities faced by marginalised Indigenous Australians. She questioned the tangible benefits of Mr Mohamed's role. She suggested that the Coalition would abolish the position if elected in 2025, advocating for a focus on practical investments to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians at home.
Despite the criticism, a spokesperson for Senator Penny Wong defended the ambassador's work, claiming that Mr Mohamed has secured greater access for Indigenous Peoples to the Human Rights Council, played a key role in delivering a treaty recognising First Nations peoples' genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and has boosted First Nations trade. They emphasised the importance of First Nations diplomacy in the Pacific region, suggesting it helps rebuild relationships after years of neglect by previous governments.
Before his ambassadorship, Mr Mohamed held various positions within the Victorian government and non-profit organisations, including deputy secretary for Aboriginal justice and Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
The revelations about Mr Mohamed's travel expenses have sparked a debate about the role's clarity, effectiveness, and prioritisation of funds. Warren Mundine, former National President of the Australian Labor Party, called for more 'practical' roles that directly support local Indigenous businesses and communities.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to consider how government spending aligns with the needs and priorities of all Australians, including the most vulnerable. The discussion around Mr. Mohamed's travel expenses is not just about the numbers; it's about ensuring that every dollar spent translates into real, positive outcomes for Indigenous communities.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this issue. Do you believe the role of the First Nations Ambassador is necessary, and if so, how should it be structured to ensure accountability and tangible benefits for Indigenous Australians? Let us know in the comments below!
The position of First Nations Ambassador, a role that did not exist anywhere in the world before March 2023, was established with the intention of engaging regional partners on the Voice, Treaty, Truth process. However, the relevance of this aspect of the job came into question when Australia voted 'No' to the Voice referendum in October. Despite this, the Albanese government allocated a generous $358,000 travel budget to Mr Mohamed, allowing him and his colleagues to fly business class to various international forums and conferences.
Documents released under Freedom of Information, obtained by Daily Mail Australia, reveal that Mr Mohamed's nine overseas trips during the 2023-24 fiscal year cost a combined $283,000. A single two-week trip to Kansas City and Washington DC amounted to $75,022. These trips included destinations such as New York, Hawaii, San Francisco, Geneva, Dubai, Paris, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. Notably, there was no mention of visits to remote Indigenous communities within Australia.
Justin Mohamed, Australia's First Nations People's Ambassador, spends much of his travel budget on business class flights and private transfers. Credit: Shutterstock
The expenses, approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), covered not only flights but also $30,000 for hotel accommodations, $13,000 for food and cab fares, and several hundred dollars for private transfers between Mr Mohamed's $2.4 million estate in Gisborne, Victoria, and Melbourne Airport. Additionally, there were charges for private limousine services, including three separate $150 bills for limo companies in Dubai.
The opposition has criticised the spending, with Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price highlighting the disparity between the ambassador's travel expenses and the realities faced by marginalised Indigenous Australians. She questioned the tangible benefits of Mr Mohamed's role. She suggested that the Coalition would abolish the position if elected in 2025, advocating for a focus on practical investments to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians at home.
Despite the criticism, a spokesperson for Senator Penny Wong defended the ambassador's work, claiming that Mr Mohamed has secured greater access for Indigenous Peoples to the Human Rights Council, played a key role in delivering a treaty recognising First Nations peoples' genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and has boosted First Nations trade. They emphasised the importance of First Nations diplomacy in the Pacific region, suggesting it helps rebuild relationships after years of neglect by previous governments.
Before his ambassadorship, Mr Mohamed held various positions within the Victorian government and non-profit organisations, including deputy secretary for Aboriginal justice and Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
The revelations about Mr Mohamed's travel expenses have sparked a debate about the role's clarity, effectiveness, and prioritisation of funds. Warren Mundine, former National President of the Australian Labor Party, called for more 'practical' roles that directly support local Indigenous businesses and communities.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to consider how government spending aligns with the needs and priorities of all Australians, including the most vulnerable. The discussion around Mr. Mohamed's travel expenses is not just about the numbers; it's about ensuring that every dollar spent translates into real, positive outcomes for Indigenous communities.
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