Anika Wells refers herself to independent watchdog for spending audit

Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells has asked the parliament's independent expenses watchdog to audit her use of taxpayer entitlements as her travel spending continues to attract scrutiny.

Wells today asked The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority to audit her use of entitlements, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Criticism of the embattled MP's use of taxpayer-funded travel began after a Senate estimates hearing revealed a September trip to New York for Wells and two staffers cost almost $100,000.

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The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority will now probe her use of family-reunion entitlements, which allowed her husband and children to join her on business trips to a Thredbo ski resort and several sporting events.

Public spending records reveal the frontbencher spent $3000 on a family ski trip and another $4000 on flying her husband to the cricket.

Wells billed taxpayers $1000 to have a Comcar idle for seven hours while she enjoyed the Australian Open tennis final in January 2023, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

It has also been reported that she claimed $8500 in family travel expenses on flights to Melbourne for the AFL grand final weekends in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Wells has consistently maintained her use of taxpayer funds has been above board and there is no suggestion of any improper use.

The Communications and Sport Minister, like every federal MP, is allowed to use the public purse on work-related expenses – but in a cost of living crisis, critics say her spending doesn't quite pass the "pub test".

Wells' office has been contacted for comment.

More to come.

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