Overpaid and Underworked: Ambassador Outsources His Own Job

Documents released under Freedom of Information requests have revealed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have engaged Darlinghurst-based firm, Inside Policy, to ‘develop a strategy for a First Nations approach to foreign policy,’ at a cost of $266,000 to the taxpayer.

However, according to DFAT’s own website, Anthony Albanese’s First Nations Ambassador, Justin Mohamed, is tasked with exactly the same job, for which he is paid $380,000 a year.

In addition to Mr Mohamed’s exorbitant salary, the First Nations Ambassador also commands 10 highly paid staff, costing the taxpayer more than $15 million over four years.

These revelations come on the back of Mr Mohamed’s previously uncovered travel costs, which totalled $145,000 in international flights in 12 months alone.

Opposition waste spokesman, James Stevens, said “the First Nations Ambassador is a waste of millions of taxpayer funds on a role that does absolutely nothing to address the real challenges facing indigenous Australians.

“It’s remarkable that despite his $380,000 salary and 10 highly paid staff, the First Nations Ambassador needs to pay contractors to do his job for him.

“A Coalition government will scrap this wasteful role and focus on delivering real solutions to indigenous communities,” Mr Stevens said.