Anika Wells, the Labour minister for communications and sport, has claimed more than £8,500 in family travel expenses to Melbourne during AFL grand final weekends in 2022, 2023 and 2024, when she received free suite tickets to the matches. The claims, revealed by Guardian Australia, include flights for her husband and other family members from Brisbane to Melbourne, with the total bill amounting to £8,577.53.
Wells has defended her use of family travel entitlements, stating that all claims were within the rules. However, the Coalition opposition has called for an inquiry by the independent parliamentary expenses authority (IPEA) and reforms to expense rules. The shadow communications minister, Melissa McIntosh, has also faced scrutiny over her own family travel claims, including a £429.64 claim for a trip to Bathurst in 2021 while campaigning with then prime minister Scott Morrison.
IPEA records show that Wells claimed £2,913.68 for family travel to Melbourne on 24 September 2022, returning the next day, coinciding with the AFL grand final. In 2023, she claimed £3,537.15 for four family traveller expenses between Brisbane and Melbourne from 27 September to 1 October. In 2024, she claimed £2,126.70 for a same-day return trip on 28 September.
Wells updated her register of interests on Monday, declaring free tickets to several high-profile events, including Oasis, the Logies and the AFL grand final. Some of these declarations were made after the required 28-day limit for receiving gifts and hospitality. The minister does not claim family travel expenses for the vast majority of sporting events she attends as part of her role.
