Anika Wells billed taxpayers for lavish Paris dinner during Olympics

Labor Minister Anika Wells made three trips to Europe in the space of 12 months, slugging taxpayers more than $600 to enjoy a lavish dinner and ‘plat dessert’ lunch during the Paris Olympics.

Communications Minister Anika Wells jetted to Europe three times in the space of 12 months at a cost of almost $120,000 – including slugging taxpayers more than $600 to enjoy a lavish dinner and ‘plat dessert’ lunch during the Paris Olympics.

Ms Wells – then Minister for Sport and Aged Care – visited France on three occasions between September 2023 and September 2024, according to Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority records reviewed by The Saturday Telegraph.

The trips, which saw her attend the Rugby World Cup, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, cost taxpayers $115,902.

Ms Wells is facing scrutiny after spending $120,000 on a trip to New York in September to speak about the Albanese government’s social media age ban, as well as a decision to bill taxpayers $3600 for flights, accommodation and transport for a trip to Adelaide – during which she attended a friend’s birthday party.

A breakdown of Ms Wells’ expenses during the Paris Olympics, set out in a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade document obtained through Freedom of Information, shows the minister enjoyed a $1000 dinner at an unnamed restaurant with a member of her staff, then Australian ambassador to France Gillian Bird, and another guest – slugging taxpayers $455 for her meal and her adviser’s meal.

Sport and Communications Minister Anika Wells addresses the National Press Club of Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A day later, Wells billed taxpayers $160 for herself and her staff member to enjoy a “plat dessert” lunch, accompanied by a glass of wine, as part of a $270 meal with a third guest.

Ms Wells – who is vice president of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games – was invited to the Olympics and Paralympics by the International Olympic Committee, and attended a series of formal engagements during the trips, including a Commonwealth Sport Ministers Meeting and UNESCO’s Change the Game conference.

Liberal Senator James McGrath has slammed Ms Wells’ travel. Picture: Brendan Radke

While attending the Rugby World Cup in 2023, Ms Wells signed a Declaration of Intent with her French counterpart to increase sporting co-operation.

In response to questions put by The Telegraph to Ms Wells, a government spokesman said “all travel and expenses were in accordance with the guidelines”.

“The minister travelled in her role as Minister for Sport and Vice President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee.”

Liberal Senator James McGrath said Ms Wells’ international travel showed “a poor pattern of behaviour”.

“While we in the Coalition support ministers representing Australia where appropriate, Labor’s Minister Wells is nothing more than a full-time frequent flyer and part-time minister,” he said.

“What continues to unravel as a poor pattern of behaviour seems to be coinciding with her significant portfolio failures, whether that be in her previous aged care portfolio or now with the major communications failures.”

Originally published as Anika Wells billed taxpayers for lavish Paris dinner during Olympics