Labor Offers $20,000 Grants for Aboriginal Australians to Attend COP31 Climate Conference

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen attends a doorstep during the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 20, 2026. Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

The Albanese Labor government is offering grants of up to $20,000 (US$13,900) to support Aboriginal Australians and people from diverse backgrounds attending the United Nations COP31 climate conference in Turkey.

Applications for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) grants opened on July 7 and close on July 27.

The program aims to promote the “voices and perspectives of First Nations Australians” and young people aged 18 and over, and to “enhance inclusion and diversity” in Australia’s participation in COP31.

“The objective of the grant opportunity is to support the travel of individuals from diverse and underrepresented groups, primarily First Nations Australians and youth (over the age of 18), to attend and contribute to Australia’s inclusive climate engagement at COP31, to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026,” a government page advertising the grants said.

The Labor government has committed a total of $650,000 in taxpayer funds to the initiative. Successful applicants will be able to use the grants to cover travel, accommodation and other costs associated with attending the COP31 conference.

‘Out of Touch’: Opposition

Shadow Minister for Scrutiny of Government Waste and Accountability Tony Pasin criticised the spending on July 9.

“I just think it is indicative of a government that is just so out of touch,” he told 2GB Radio.

Pasin said the program is about sending a cheer squad to go to Turkey with Climate Change and Energy Minister Bowen.

“Why should we spend $650,000 at all? If people want to go to the climate conference in Turkey, they should be doing it on their dime, not on mine and yours,” Pasin said.

“People resent this kind of expenditure. Let’s provide this funding for direct meaningful outcomes in regional, rural remote Australia where we know we need to do better.

“I just don’t know why handpicking a group of people, taking them on a trip to Turkey, giving them a set of pom poms to cheer behind Minister Bowen is going to get us anywhere down the road.”

Bowen will serve as president of the negotiations for the summit, where he will be responsible for building international relationships with other countries, businesses and stakeholders ahead of the event.

Earlier this year, the government established an “Office of the Presidency” within the DCCEEW to support Bowen’s role.

The 2026-27 federal budget (pdf) released on May 12 also included $19.9 million for extending Australia’s climate change engagement via COP31.

The Epoch Times has contacted Bowen’s office for comment.

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