During the inflation-fuelled cost of living crisis, the Albanese Labor Government has quietly established a sprawling new COP 31 bureaucracy, including a dedicated ‘Office of the Presidency.’
According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Organisation Chart, a series of new units dedicated to advancing Chris Bowen’s agenda as President of Negotiations for the United Nations climate conference have been stood up.
As at 1 May 2026, the following COP 31-related units are active
- Office of the Presidency
- International Climate Negotiations
- Negotiations
- Stakeholders & Collaboration
- Pacific Partnerships
In addition, documents obtained by the Opposition under Freedom of Information laws, reveal that a dedicated ‘COP31 Media Operations’ unit has been established, with emails between bureaucrats showing how to spin Chris Bowen’s role as President.
COP 31-related Budget measures include:
- Delivering on Australia’s COP 31 Agenda: $50.4 million over two years from 2026-27.
- Extending Australia’s International Climate Change Engagement: $79.1 million over two years from 2025–26.
- Standing with our partners in the Pacific: $147.8 million over three years from 2025–26.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said Labor’s priorities were all wrong.
“Chris Bowen has serious questions to answer over this Budget blowout, including: how many people work for him in the Office of the Presidency; what is the cost of the Office of the Presidency and; how on earth does Mr Bowen justify spending over $200 million on his COP vanity project when more than 230,000 Australians are in energy hardship?” Mr Tehan said.
“Instead of being laser-focused on addressing the cost of living crisis, Chris Bowen is spending taxpayer dollars to pump up his own tyres.”
ENDS
Media contact: Phil Connole M | 0417 063 605