Environment department spent $4,300 on dinner for energy companies

Agencies spent $175,000 on meals and wine in six months - but only $140 on sandwiches for Prince Albert of Monaco's party

Australia's environment agencies spent $175,000 of taxpayers' money on lavish meals and wine in a six-month period, including a $4,302 dinner to host energy industry representatives.

New figures provided to a Senate committee reveal the details of roughly 45 catered functions billed to the taxpayer by the environment department, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Clean Energy Regulator.