Australian government spent $42,000 on Sydney-themed Quad merchandise for event that didn’t go ahead

Exclusive: Items included stationery, media banners and accreditation lanyards for summit that was cancelled with just one week’s notice

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The Australian government spent more than $42,000 on Sydney-themed merchandise for the ill-fated 2023 Quad leaders’ summit before the event was hastily moved to Japan.

Guardian Australia can reveal the government’s planning taskforce also spent more than $6m in preparation for the event to be hosted at the Sydney Opera House.

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