Bob Geldof and hypocrisy

Bob Geldof charged $100k to speak in Melbourne at Diversity@Work awards | NEWS.com.au Entertainment

Bob Geldof charged $100k to speak in Melbourne at Diversity@Work awards

By Michael Warner November 15, 2008 12:59am

A bit rich ... anti-poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof charged $100,000 to come to Melbourne and give a speech about world suffering.

ANTI-poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof charged $100,000 to come to Melbourne and give a speech about world suffering.

Geldof, 54, spoke about the tragedy of Third World poverty and the failure of governments to combat the crisis, at a Crown casino function on Thursday night.

But the Herald Sun can reveal the outspoken human rights activist charged about $100,000 for his trouble - a speaker's fee that included the cost of luxury hotel rooms and first-class airfares. Fellow activist and World Vision CEO the Rev Tim Costello spoke for free.

An event insider said the Geldof payments included the costs of a minder.

"It was an inspiring speech. But when you think he got paid $100,000 to talk about poverty, it seems like a bit of a contradiction," the insider said.
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"That's $100,000 that could have made a difference to poverty right there. Everyone in the audience would have walked away in awe. If only they knew the full story."

The payment is believed to have been funded by event sponsors including the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Geldof's speech was the highlight of the eighth annual Diversity@Work business awards at Crown Palladium.

Diversity@Work is a private company providing workplace consulting and training.

Its CEO, Mark Heaysman, last night refused to say how much was spent to lure Geldof, who was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1986 for his Live Aid campaign.

"The aim of the Diversity@Work awards is to bring the very important issue of providing better opportunities for people with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds to the public spotlight," Mr Heaysman said.

"It is important to have high-profile supporters of the awards, to help spread this important message. It is a great shame if this issue is overshadowed."

Geldof appears on various websites spruiking the international speakers' circuit.

Mr Costello confirmed yesterday he was not paid, saying: "I know nothing of any fees."