Communications Minister Anika Wells is under mounting pressure to explain why her last-minute trip to New York in September cost almost $100,000 in flights, despite ministerial guidelines requiring ministers to ensure their travel expenses align with public expectations.
As per SMH, Wells charged taxpayers for urgent return fares for herself, a staffer, and a public servant to attend a UN event promoting Australia’s proposed teen social media ban. An additional $70,000 was spent on hosting an associated function.
Speaking on Wednesday, Wells defended the trip, arguing it helped build international momentum for Australia’s online safety reform, but she did not address the size of the travel bill.
Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh said the minister still had serious questions to answer, particularly given the unusually high cost of the flights. She noted that the prime minister was already in New York at the time and said even next-day airfares did not approach the amount charged.
“I don’t understand how you can end up with flights costing $100,000. It simply doesn’t make sense,” she told Sky News.
Under parliamentary travel rules, ministers must ensure value for money, accept personal accountability for international travel decisions, and take every step possible to minimise costs. Nationals leader David Littleproud said he supported necessary international travel but only when it delivered real value for taxpayers.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles refused to explain how the bill reached almost $100,000, saying only that the trip complied with the rules and highlighting the importance of the government’s push to protect young people online.
The prime minister must sign off on all ministerial overseas travel, but it remains unclear who reviewed the estimated cost before approval. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said Anthony Albanese must now explain the basis on which he approved the trip, arguing the minister should not have travelled during the Triple Zero crisis.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley added that Wells’ absence raised concerns ahead of the teen social media ban coming into force, saying parents needed confidence that the minister was fully engaged with the rollout.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers asked whether the trip passed the “pub test”, said others would make that judgment, but insisted the travel complied with guidelines and served an important purpose. The company contracted to arrange government travel declined to comment to SMH on how the airfare costs were calculated, and Wells’ office did not respond to questions.
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