The article of 17 December published in the Herald Sun and other News Corp mastheads concerning the Australian High Commission in London contains a number of errors and misrepresentations, which we correct below. DFAT has asked the Herald Sun and its partner journals correct the record to reflect the facts provided to it by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 15 December, and to reflect the additional facts DFAT has provided to it below in response to the article.
- The article attributes to the High Commissioner decisions about the renovations in Stoke Lodge, through its headline 'Stephen Smith's $670,000 renovation of Stoke Lodge … Stephen Smith has caused another stir due to a lavish taxpayer-funded overhaul of his mansion.
This attribution is incorrect. The background we provided on 15 December states the renovations were commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before the High Commissioner's arrival:
'Where possible, DFAT schedules works to official residences during transition periods between heads of mission, to enable full use of properties for official events. Works to Stoke Lodge were commissioned by DFAT in 2022, resulting in the building not being available for public events when the High Commissioner commenced in London, and for a period after his arrival. The cost of these works was $670,553.'
The article was updated to include a final paragraph stating that the renovation works were commissioned by DFAT. Accordingly, the rest of the article, including the headline and lead text, should not continue to attribute the decision to the High Commissioner.
- The article states that the High Commissioner 'cancelled Australia Day celebrations in London'.
This is incorrect. The High Commission has already planned and will host an appropriate event to mark Australia Day 2024 at Australia House, as Australia's embassies and consulates do around the world.
The Australia Foundation's proposed Gala Dinner was not cancelled by the High Commission. The Australia Foundation (which has changed its name from the Australia Day Foundation) decided to not proceed with a gala dinner for 2024.
Supporting the gala dinner in the past has cost the Australian High Commission. This year the estimate was $55,000. The High Commission determined that Australian taxpayers should no longer bear such a cost.
- The article states that the High Commissioner 'cancelled the High Commission's party during London Pride this year, which has disappointed the UK's influential LGBT+ community'.
This is not the case, and is misleading. Our statement of 15 December advises that 'the High Commission welcomed the opportunity to host a Pride celebration at Australia House in March 2023 to coincide with Sydney World Pride, and plans to mark Pride again in 2024'.
- The article states that 'Mr Smith was also accused of cancelling 100 years of history when he pulled down the portraits of Australia's previous High Commissioners'.
It is incorrect to attribute this to the High Commissioner. The portraits of past High Commissioners were taken down to be digitised before Mr Smith's appointment and arrival in London, and that the portraits have since been rehung in the High Commission.
- The article states that the High Commissioner's predecessor 'held as many as 150 events a year' at Stoke Lodge.
The Australian High Commission does not have a record of 150 events being held in one year at Stoke Lodge.
Finally, we observe that the remark attributed to Senator Simon Birmingham - that 'Australian taxpayers fund embassies, commissions and residences so that they can be used in our national interest, including hosting events that secure jobs and investments for Australia' - correctly describes how Stoke Lodge has been and continues to be used by the High Commissioner.
