Overview
- Communications and Sport Minister Anika Wells has self-referred her travel and family‑reunion claims to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for an audit, saying all spending complied with the framework.
- An ABC analysis found federal MPs charged taxpayers about $1.1 million for family travel in 2024–25, with higher averages among Western Australian and remote representatives due to distance.
- WAtoday reported more than $4 million in family travel since 2022 and four MPs exceeding $100,000, including Andrew Willcox, Fatima Payman, Don Farrell and Patrick Gorman.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and several ministers have disclosed using the allowance, with the government insisting claims were made under the rules, while Coalition figures seek ministerial code scrutiny and cross‑party voices urge a review.
- Recent reporting that intensified scrutiny includes Wells’ ~A$95,000 New York UN trip, Paris travel linked to the Olympics exceeding A$115,000 and family travel to major sporting events and Thredbo, with no confirmed rule breaches.