TAXPAYERS FUND BUREAUCRATS, AGAIN

Angie Bell MP
Shadow Minister for the Environment
Shadow Minister for Youth
Federal Member for Moncrieff

MEDIA RELEASE

30 July 2025

TAXPAYERS FUND BUREAUCRATS, AGAIN

A week-long Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority conference has resulted in a $59,610 taxpayer funded accommodation bill.

During Senate Estimates last year, the Reef Authority approached three possible accommodation providers in the Cairns-Port Douglas region on limited tender for a five-day conference.

It was later revealed in Questions on notice that Thala Beach Lodge – a five star eco and nature resort, located on a private beach among 145 acres of native forest was deemed ‘the most appropriate quote.’

Shadow Minister for the Environment, Angie Bell has said the Reef Authority, that reports directly to the Minister for the Environment, has some serious explaining to do.

“For the Reef Authority to claim a $500 a night luxury resort with a private beach was ‘the most appropriate quote’ in the area is quite frankly, laughable,” Ms Bell said.

“This $59,610 figure covers 28 individuals who were not even employees of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

“It’s the whole $20,000 desk debacle all over again and it shows a blatant disregard for taxpayers hard-earned money.

“The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority does play an important role in the management and preservation of the Reef, but this wasteful spending is just another example of how bureaucrats don’t respect the Australian taxpayer.”

Australians are enduring one of the worst cost of living crises in recent memory but Labor continues to have no regard for taxpayer dollars.

[ENDS]

BACKGROUND: 

Senate Estimates – Environment and Communications

Question on notice no. 112

Portfolio question number: SQ25-000099

2024-25 Additional estimates

Environment and Communications Committee, Climate Change, Energy, the

Environment and Water Portfolio

Senator Jonathon Duniam: asked the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on

5 March 2025—

In relation to the Tumbra conference discussed at the previous round of Estimates, did

all or most of the 28 attendees stay at the same hotel – or the same small set of hotels?

If so, what was the name of this hotel or hotels?

Answer:

All 28 attendees stayed at Thala Beach Lodge where the workshop was held.