Name: Anika Wells under scrutiny over $100k taxpayer-funded travel
Uploaded: 2025-12-10T06:16:46.337Z
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: Australian Communications Minister Annika Wells is under scrutiny for more than $100,000 in taxpayer-funded travel, including a New York trip to promote the under-16s social media ban.

Australian Communications Minister Annika Wells is under scrutiny for more than $100,000 in taxpayer-funded travel, including a New York trip to promote the under-16s social media ban.

Canberra

Australian Communications Minister Annika Wells is facing questions regarding her use of taxpayer funds for travel, including over $100,000 spent on a trip to New York with two staff members to promote the under-16s social media ban. Additional scrutiny has arisen over domestic travel expenses, such as a $1,200 com car that waited nearly 10 hours during the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

Minister Wells has referred herself to the Independent Watchdog for an audit of her expenses and insists all spending was within official guidelines. The Prime Minister has expressed support for Wells, while public debate continues over whether federal politicians' entitlement guidelines should be reviewed.

Anika Wells under scrutiny over $100k taxpayer-funded travel

Meantime, the Communications Minister responsible for the rollout of the social media ban is refusing to stand down after questions were raised over her taxpayer-funded travel. Live now to our Federal Political Reporter, Matthew Kastunin. Matt, this story's bubbling along, the saga certainly an unwelcome distraction for the Albanese government. Good evening, Sandra. It has. But Annika Wells insists she has nothing to hide Despite being under fire in recent days over the use of taxpayer dollars, including revelations she spent over $100,000 for herself and two staff to travel to New York to promote the under-16s social media ban, as well as domestic trips and a $1,200 spend for a com car, as it waited nearly 10 hours as she attended the 2022 NRL Grand Final. Now yesterday, the Minister referred herself to the Independent Watchdog to have those expenses audited to really try and put the matter to bed ahead of today's social media ban coming into effect. It is important to note, though, all of these expenses are within the guidelines, with ministers from both sides of politics using these entitlements. The Prime Minister also standing by Minister Wells. I absolutely accept that those figures prompt a gut reaction in people. I honestly accept that. And I agree with everybody that parliamentarians' entitlements should be scrutinised. I'm happy for everyone to have another look at it. I don't have anything to hide. I've followed the rules. But it begs the question, should these guidelines for our federal politicians be overhauled? Minister Wells wouldn't be drawn when asked about that today. Sandra.

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