Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Henderson calls for Anika Wells to be stood down over Adelaide trip
Sarah Henderson called for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand down Communications Minister Anika Wells over her taxpayer-funded trip to Adelaide.
Henderson accused Wells of misleading the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, or IPEA, about meetings she said took place during the June 2025 visit.
The trip cost $3,681.82, and Wells also attended a friend's birthday celebration while in Adelaide.
Wells said a planned meeting with South Australian minister Chris Picton became an informal meeting at the celebration after an earlier discussion ran overtime.
Records released under freedom of information raised questions, including that Picton's diary did not explicitly list a meeting and Farrell's office could not find documents about another claimed meeting.
IPEA accepted Wells' explanation after an audit and said it was reasonable for her to stay overnight and return to Brisbane the next morning.
Henderson says Wells should repay the fare and be stood down, but the supplied information does not say that Albanese or Wells has taken further action.
Sarah Henderson has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand down Communications Minister Anika Wells over her taxpayer-funded trip to Adelaide.
Henderson accused Wells of misleading the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority about meetings during the trip.
The June 2025 trip cost taxpayers $3,681.82 and included Wells attending a birthday celebration.
Wells said a planned meeting with South Australian minister Chris Picton instead took place as a “sideline meeting” at the celebration.
IPEA accepted Wells’ explanation after an audit and found it was reasonable for her to stay overnight in Adelaide.
- Who
- Sarah Henderson called for Anika Wells to be stood down by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- What
- Henderson accused Wells of lying about meetings used to justify a taxpayer-funded trip to Adelaide.
- When
- Henderson made the call on Sunday, 18 October 2026. The trip took place in June 2025.
- Where
- The trip was to Adelaide, South Australia.
- Why
- Henderson said Freedom of Information disclosures undermined Wells’ account of meetings she cited as official business.
Sarah Henderson
Anika Wells
Meetings
Sarah Henderson
Henderson said there was no evidence that meetings with Don Farrell’s chief of staff and Chris Picton occurred.
Anika Wells
Wells told IPEA she met Farrell’s chief of staff and that a planned meeting with Picton became a “sideline meeting” at a birthday celebration.
Travel claims
Sarah Henderson
Henderson said Wells should repay the fare and be stood down, arguing taxpayers should not have covered travel costs.
Anika Wells
Wells said she had complied with IPEA requirements; IPEA accepted her explanation after an audit.
Wells travelled to Adelaide.
Wells attended her friend Connie Blefari’s 40th birthday celebration and said a planned meeting with Picton became a “sideline meeting” there.
IPEA audited Wells’ travel claims, accepted her explanation and found it reasonable for her to remain in Adelaide overnight.
Henderson called on Albanese to stand Wells down.
- Trip cost
- $3,681.82
- Trip date
- June 6, 2025
- Birthday celebration
- Connie Blefari’s 40th birthday
- Claimed meeting
- Ben Rillo, chief of staff to Trade Minister Don Farrell
- Audit finding
- IPEA accepted Wells’ explanation after an audit
What people are saying
Yes, I do think she's lying
I think she has lied to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, IPEA.
The whole thing is a rort and the Prime Minister needs to take action and stand her down.