The Australian government has spent more than $2.5 million in taxpayer funds on luxury accommodation linked to Myanmar’s military junta since it overthrew the country’s democratically elected government in a coup last year.
Key points:
- Human rights groups say Australia is failing the Myanmar people by patronising these hotels
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia’s operations in Myanmar don’t directly fund the military regime
- A verdict in detained Australian Sean Turnell’s case is reportedly expected next month
Australia has repeatedly condemned the actions of the junta, which has killed more than 2,273 people and arrested more than 15,500 since the power grab on February 1 last year, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
But in the past 18 months, the government has spent more than $1.5 million on staff accommodation at Shangri-La residences in Yangon, as…
