Bill for Perth CHOGM leaders' luxury hits $5m

Bill for CHOGM leaders' luxury hits $5m

NICK BUTTERLY CANBERRA, The West Australian
May 18, 2011, 5:20 am
Taxpayers have forked out almost $5 million on luxury Perth accommodation for the army of world leaders, advisers and bureaucrats at the October Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Federal Government documents show.

The Hyatt Regency Hotel on Adelaide Terrace is the biggest winner, with the Government spending more than $1 million on rooms there between November last year and November 5 this year.

The Government has spent $480,000 on beds at the Rydges Hotel, $240,000 at the Rendezvous Hotel and $350,000 at the Mantra on Murray.

Bookings worth $479,000 have been made at the Citigate Hotel, while $275,000 has been spent at the Crowne Plaza and $136,000 at the Duxton. CHOGM organisers have said much of the cost of rooms for delegates will be reimbursed.

While the bulk of the bookings have been made for the three days over which the event will run, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on hotel beds in WA since late last year to accommodate hundreds of public servants who have been flying between Perth and Canberra to plan the forum.

The shortage of hotels in Perth has forced organisers to also snap up rooms at smaller boutique hotels and serviced apartments.

Yesterday, Special Minister of State Gary Gray said 40 West Australians would have the opportunity to take part in a Commonwealth People's Forum during CHOGM.

More than 250 delegates from around the Commonwealth will take part in the forum, which will craft a statement about their hopes and aspirations to present to world leaders at the summit. People can register for the forum at www.cpf2011.org .