ANTI-POVERTY campaigner Sir Bob Geldof cost organisers $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 it can be revealed the outspoken human rights activist charged about $100,000 for his troubles – a fee that included the cost of luxury hotel rooms and first-class airfares.
Fellow activist, World Vision CEO the Rev Tim Costello, spoke for free.
An event insider said: "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.
"That's $100,000 that could have made a difference to poverty right there. Everyone who was in the audience would have walked away in awe. If only they knew the full story."
The payment is believed to have been funded from event sponsors including the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Geldof's speech was the highlight of Thursday night's eighth annual Diversity@Work business awards at Crown Palladium, Melbourne.
Diversity@Work is a private company providing workplace consulting and training.
CEO Mark Heaysman last night refused to reveal how much money was spent to lure Geldof.
"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 the Diversity@Work effort 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 lucrative international speakers circuit.
But Mr Costello yesterday confirmed he was not paid to speak.
"I know nothing of any fees," Mr Costello said.
Geldof is the former Boom Town Rats frontman and was a co-founder of the 1984 international Band Aid music charity, aimed at eradicating African famine.
He was also behind the 2005 Live 8 concerts, raising money for Third World debt relief.
The Irish-born, London-based Geldof has taken custody of the daughter of former-INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997. Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence is the daughter of Geldof's late ex-wife Paula Yates.
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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 it can be revealed the outspoken human rights activist charged about $100,000 for his troubles – a fee that included the cost of luxury hotel rooms and first-class airfares.
Fellow activist, World Vision CEO the Rev Tim Costello, spoke for free.
An event insider said: "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.
"That's $100,000 that could have made a difference to poverty right there. Everyone who was in the audience would have walked away in awe. If only they knew the full story."
The payment is believed to have been funded from event sponsors including the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Geldof's speech was the highlight of Thursday night's eighth annual Diversity@Work business awards at Crown Palladium, Melbourne.
Diversity@Work is a private company providing workplace consulting and training.
CEO Mark Heaysman last night refused to reveal how much money was spent to lure Geldof.
"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 the Diversity@Work effort 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 lucrative international speakers circuit.
But Mr Costello yesterday confirmed he was not paid to speak.
"I know nothing of any fees," Mr Costello said.
Geldof is the former Boom Town Rats frontman and was a co-founder of the 1984 international Band Aid music charity, aimed at eradicating African famine.
He was also behind the 2005 Live 8 concerts, raising money for Third World debt relief.
The Irish-born, London-based Geldof has taken custody of the daughter of former-INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997. Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence is the daughter of Geldof's late ex-wife Paula Yates.
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