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AustraliaBusiness5 days ago

DFAT’s ‘Mr Inside’ in Washington has billed Australia $170,000 — and declared only three lobbying activities

A veteran D.C. lobbyist named Richard F. Hohlt, contracted by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has been reported to have billed Australian taxpayers $170,000 over five months while claiming to have conducted only three lobbying activities. These included attending a dinner at the Alfalfa Club, which honors a Confederate general, and engaging in other unspecified lobbying efforts. The report highlights concerns regarding the value and nature of the work performed under the contract.

One of the activities the veteran DC lobbyist reported was attending a dinner at the exclusive Alfalfa Club, which was founded in honour of a Confederate general.

Jun 16, 2026

3 min read

Veteran D.C. lobbyist Richard F. Hohlt (Image: Crikey)

A lobbyist hired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to gain access to politicians in Washington, D.C. reported three activities across five months, as well as providing “high-level advice” and having monthly lunches with officials, all while billing Australian taxpayers $170,000.

Veteran D.C. lobbyist Richard F. Hohlt, who signed a contract with DFAT in November last year , submitted a form to the US government earlier this month detailing his activities in the period up to the end of April, which includes his first five months working for DFAT.

Read the full article at Crikey →
Source document: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

1 reports

CrikeyIndependentCenter5 days ago
DFAT’s ‘Mr Inside’ in Washington has billed Australia $170,000 — and declared only three lobbying activities

A veteran D.C. lobbyist named Richard F. Hohlt, contracted by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has been reported to have billed Australian taxpayers $170,000 over five months while claiming to have conducted only three lobbying activities. These included attending a dinner at the Alfalfa Club, which honors a Confederate general, and engaging in other unspecified lobbying efforts. The report highlights concerns regarding the value and nature of the work performed under the contract.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on the activities and expenses of a lobbyist without using biased language or selectively presenting information to support a particular viewpoint.

Official sources cited

  • government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

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  • governmentDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)