Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been revealed to have spent more than $300,000 maintaining decorative plants and gardens at its Canberra offices, according to documents obtained through freedom of information laws.
Lush gardens amid budget cuts
The figures show the department allocated over a quarter of a million dollars specifically for landscaping and gardening services at its Canberra premises since 2022. This year alone, taxpayers funded $55,000 to keep plants and gardens surrounding the RG Casey Building in Barton and other DFAT city offices looking lush and well-maintained.
While this year's expenditure represents a significant decrease from the previous year's $87,000 garden budget, the timing has raised eyebrows across the public service. The spending on indoor plants and flowers for thousands of DFAT staff comes as the Labor government attempts to find $6.4 billion in savings from the public service over the next three years.
Questionable spending history
This isn't the first time DFAT's spending habits have attracted scrutiny. The department has previously faced criticism for taxpayer-funded trips to Port Douglas, luxury vehicles for diplomats, and even a $17,930 payment for a Kylie Minogue impersonator.
As mining billionaire Gina Rinehart suggested regarding bureaucratic savings, perhaps officials could simply sell their pot plants to contribute to budget repair efforts.
A DFAT spokesperson defended the expenditure, stating the department maintains financial management policies that require all activities to be cost-effective and deliver value for money.
Broader government delays and controversies
The plant spending revelation comes alongside other concerning developments within the federal government. The highly-touted Foreign Interference Communities Support Hub, announced by former Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil in July last year, has failed to materialise according to a recent departmental admission.
Home Affairs blamed the delay on an increase in required language translations and additional website resources, missing its July 2025 deadline.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Clare O'Neil is attempting to block the public release of a Treasury review into alleged toxic workplace culture at Housing Australia. This follows the resignation of Housing Australia chair Carol Austin after bullying allegations were investigated, though not substantiated.
The agency's chief executive Scott Langford revealed during estimates that more than a quarter of staff had left the organisation in the twelve months leading up to August 2025.
As public servants prepare to move into DFAT's new $94 million headquarters in 2027, questions remain about whether decorative greenery - while potentially lowering cortisol levels - represents the best use of taxpayer funds during a period of significant budget pressure.
