Anika Wells and Albanese vow meals, flights tabs A-OK as Aussie workers feel cost-of-living pinch

The gaping chasm between Australia’s working class and its politicians just got wider, thanks to Minister Anika Wells’ excessive spending of taxpayers’ money on flights and accommodation, argues Lucy Zelic.

‘While Australian nurses - busy saving people’s lives and providing dignity to the dying - were begging for money, a minister of the Crown was dining indulgently on the backs of these same taxpayers, writes Lucy Zelic. Picture: Brendan Read

On 23 July last year, nurses and midwives across NSW rallied outside some the state’s busiest hospitals to demand better pay and working conditions.

“The pay rise is about being able to buy food for the family and pay the mortgage. My husband and I both work night shift and feel like we barely see our two boys,” shared one nurse.

On the same date, but in a different time zone, the Minister for Sport and Communications, Anika Wells, arrived in Paris and sat down to dinner at 7:39pm with a staffer, the Australian ambassador, and “a department person” where they together racked up an almost $1000 bill.

Less than two hours later, at 9:32pm, another charge of over $700 was made, which went towards the $6000 in meal allowances Wells received for just five days during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Oh, the irony.

While Australian nurses - busy saving people’s lives and providing dignity to the dying - were begging for money, a minister of the Crown was dining indulgently on the backs of these same taxpayers.

According to Wells and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese it was all “within the guidelines”.

Minister for Sport and Communications Anika Wells spent almost $100,000 on flights attending an event to spruik Australia’s social media ban at the United Nations. Photo: Gaye Gerard

If you have ever wondered whether the chasm between the working and the political class in this country could widen any further, then look no further than these hypocritical shills, who have dared to lecture us about integrity, while bringing their families along for the joy ride.

According to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, family members of politicians are entitled to a total of three return business class airfares Australia wide.

Senator James Patterson: “I am not one of those people who say that family reunion travel should be abolished altogether.” Picture: Martin Ollman

Additionally, nine business class return tickets for the spouse or nominee of a parliamentarian, plus three economy class return airfares for each dependent child from their home base to Canberra, are also allowed every year.

From ski trips to high-profile sporting events, judo championships, fancy sunset dinners in Uluru, music festivals and even a pro-Palestine rally – these are just some of the perks that we’ve since learned family members of the Labor, Coalition and Greens parties have been able to attend on our dime.

In total, Australian taxpayers have forked out over $4 million on travel for politicians’ spouses and children under the Albanese government, begging the question: why the hell are we doing this?

Nurses protest outside a Sydney Northern Beaches hospital. Picture: Brendan Read

If “we want to see a parliament that reflects our society”, as Regional Development Minster Kristy McBain put it, then which other employers across the country are reuniting employees with their spouses and children while they’re on the road?

Whether the benefits involve economy flights or a horse and buggy, not a single cent should go towards “family reunion entitlements”, and the entire thing should be scrapped immediately.

And if you think it’s just the Labor or Greens politicians falling foul of this madness – think again.

In one interview, Liberal communications shadow minister Melissa McIntosh boo-hoo’ed that “it’s hard being a female MP” and “we have a tough job.”

Shadow finance minister James Patterson also had the brass neck to defend the rort.

“I am not one of those people who say that family reunion travel should be abolished altogether,” he told Sky News.

“I think it is appropriate and I think it does make it easier for young parents, myself included, to have a parliamentary career and still have a family life.”

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister Anika Wells. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

Newsflash, the demands of politics and parenting are nothing new and if you want to spend more time with your children, pay for it out of your own pocket, or find another job.

That we should be forced to extend compassion to people who have chosen to bring children into this world, and decided to enter into the financially rewarding field of politics, is even more crackbrained than the government’s guidelines.

I don’t see these pollies shedding tears for the millions of Australian parents working multiple jobs to make ends meet, whose children spend more time with their childcare providers than they do at home with them.

How about the mining employees, small business owners, firefighters, cops, service personnel, truck drivers, pilots or flight attendants, many of whom are nightly shift workers, who work on major holidays, or spend months away from family with limited contact?

Melissa McIntosh: “It’s hard being a female MP.” Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Right now, the impuissant Coalition have been presented with a rare gift from their political rivals – the chance to prove to Australians that they aren’t “out of touch” and announce the abolition of the family reunion entitlements.

While it’s no secret that MPs from both sides of the aisle enjoy riding the wave of benefits afforded to them, the real insult lies in their belief that they deserve it more than we do.

So go on turkeys, prove to the hardworking people of this nation that it’s about the public, and not the self-service.

Vote 1 for Christmas.