Liberal senator calls on Prime Minister to stand down Anika Wells

Opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand down Communications Minister Anika Wells, the Daily Mail reported. Speaking on Sunday, Senator Henderson accused Ms Wells of lying about official meetings that were used to justify a taxpayer-funded trip to Adelaide. [1]

According to the Daily Mail, Senator Henderson claimed that Ms Wells misled the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority about the trip, calling the situation a rort. The fresh calls for action follow Freedom of Information disclosures that raised new questions about the travel claims. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, documents revealed that a $3,681 trip to Adelaide by Ms Wells included an official meeting that was not recorded in the official diary of South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton. Ms Wells had informed expenses authorities that the meeting took place during a birthday party. [7]

Senator Henderson has served as a Liberal senator for Victoria since 2019, while Ms Wells is the Labor member for the Queensland seat of Lilley and serves as Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport. [2][3]