Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth has been forced to defend Labor’s COP31 expenditure as criticism mounts over the cost of sending 192 Australian officials to the climate summit in Turkey.

The Albanese government has come under growing scrutiny over taxpayer-funded spending at the United Nations conference, with Opposition MPs questioning whether the size and cost of the delegation can be justified while households face mounting cost-of-living pressures.

The 192-strong delegation included officials from at least 20 government departments, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen also attending.

Defending the government’s approach, Ms Rishworth on Sunday morning said Australia’s participation was about ensuring the region had a voice in climate action discussions.

“I think what the Australian government has done is made sure, in partnership with the Pacific, that we are the table discussing action on climate change, world action on climate change and in particular the Pacific,” Ms Rishworth told News24.

“So to go in partnership with the Pacific to put our case forward is really important.

“But also, obviously, it’s a time where we also can showcase Australian business, which is really critical and attract investment here in Australia as well.”

In the same TV appearance, Ms Rishworth downplayed Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen’s crude penis joke that was captured in an embarrassing hot mic moment at the event.

“This is a private conversation in between meetings. I know that a hot mic in incident is very exciting for people. It’s interesting,” she said.

“But really, there are bigger issues to, tackle and to discuss. And so I think, quite frankly, (it’s) a joke between two people, and we shouldn’t get overexcited by it.”