Overview
- Anthony Albanese said his office signed off on last‑minute commercial flights for Anika Wells and two staff to attend UN events in New York, with airfares totaling about $95,000.
- New analysis shows Wells claimed $8,577.53 in family travel coinciding with AFL grand final weekends in 2022, 2023 and 2024, during which she received suite tickets from the AFL.
- IPEA records detail additional family‑reunion flights for her husband to cricket events, including $1,885 in 2022 and $983.82 in 2024 for Boxing Day Tests, plus about $1,274 to attend a Sydney reception and $888 for the 2024 Formula One Grand Prix.
- Wells used family‑reunion entitlements for a June trip where her family joined her at Thredbo, with the two‑day visit costing taxpayers $2,845.50 while she attended Paralympics Australia events.
- The minister and the government say all claims comply with IPEA and Finance rules, as opposition and crossbench figures press for an independent review and potential rule changes, with no repayments or formal findings announced.