Overview
- Communications and Sport Minister Anika Wells self-referred her taxpayer-funded travel and family entitlements to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for audit and says all claims comply with the rules.
- Scrutiny intensified after a Senate estimates hearing revealed a September New York trip for Wells and two staff cost about $95,000 to $100,000.
- Reported items to be examined include family travel to AFL and NRL grand finals, the Australian Open and cricket, a Thredbo work trip with her family, and extended Comcar waits at sporting events.
- Labor figures, including Bill Shorten and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, defended Wells and pointed to arm's‑length oversight, with public records indicating her overall spending is not an outlier among ministers.
- The opposition called for a second inquiry by the prime minister's department and urged Wells to stand aside during investigations.