Aussie taxpayers foot $80,000 bill as Albanese government staff attend Jacinda Ardern speaking event

Published: 02:15, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 02:15, 17 July 2026 Taxpayers will cough up more than $80,000 for government agency staff to attend a leadership summit headlined by former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.  Ardern will appear at events in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne for the Women's Unlimited Leadership Summit in August alongside high-profile speakers including former Olympian Dr Jana Pittman, ABC journalist Annabel Crabb and former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate.  Online passes to the two-day events, which will be held in six cities around Australia, start at $3,599.  In-person tickets rise to an eye-watering $4,499, including GST, for a premium-tier pass that includes an 'extended learning journey'. Among attendees will be federal government agency staff, according to updated notices on AusTender, the centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts awarded. This includes the Department of Defence, which spent $13,371, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) paid $15,835 and the Australian Taxation Office forked out $10,029. The Australian Signals Directorate topped the spending list, with the cyber security agency paying $28,975 for staff 'training services' at the events. It comes after Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher urged departments to rein in expenditure after government costs reached a 40-year high. Taxpayers will cough up more than $80,000 for government agency staff to attend a leadership summit headlined by former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured)   It comes after Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher urged government departments to rein in expenditure In November last year, Chalmers and Gallagher told federal departments to identify up to five per cent in budget savings to avoid blowouts.  'It's an exercise in discipline,' Gallagher told ABC Canberra at the time. 'We've asked agencies to think about all the things they're doing and make room for re-prioritisation within budget.' The Daily Mail has contacted the offices of Chalmers and Gallagher and the agencies who bought tickets for comment. When asked about the spending, a government spokesperson told The Australian that professional development events are budgeted for by agencies. 'Decisions regarding staff training, professional development and attendance at conferences form part of agencies' budgets and are a matter for the relevant agency,' they said.  'At all times, agencies must demonstrate value for money in their decision-making.' A spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Inspector-General of Water Compliance said the expenditure was an investment in staff 'leadership capability'. Bill Shorten will address the Women in Leadership Summit on 'working for the right thing, even if it might mean failure'  An Australian Signals Directorate spokesperson said the agency bought tickets to develop and retain its workforce for 'fields in which women are statistically under-represented'. Summit organisers say attendees will hear from leadership figures speaking about practical approaches to leadership. 'Headlined by global leader The Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern, it brings together voices who have led with clarity, empathy and courage under pressure, making decisive calls when certainty is limited,' the website states. 'Across two days, the focus is practical: staying effective in complexity, leading teams through change and performance pressure, and making confident decisions with incomplete information – while strengthening clarity in how we lead.' Ardern's appearance will last 45 minutes and include a moderated Q&A before attendees take part in an 'interactive reflection activity'.  Several men will also appear at summit events, including University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and former Labor leader Bill Shorten.  The latter will address the Canberra forum on 'finding the courage to stay true to your values as a leader'. A February edition of the summit was headlined by US vice-president Kamala Harris. In October last year, an event featured former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.