Freedom of information documents obtained by the Coalition show Special Minister of State, Don Farrell, has failed to produce any documents backing Anika Wells’ claim she held a meeting with his office on a Saturday afternoon in Adelaide, in June last year.
Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety, Sarah Henderson, says this concerning development is further evidence the Communications Minister concocted meetings so she could attend a close friend’s 40th birthday party, claiming nearly $4,000 in taxpayer-funded travel expenses.
Minister Farrell’s office has failed to locate any records – including text messages, emails, or diary entries – substantiating Minister Wells’ claim she met with his chief of staff on the afternoon of 7 June 2025.
This is the second hole in Minister Wells’ account of her weekend trip to Adelaide, where she claimed she conducted parliamentary business while at the birthday party by holding a ‘sideline meeting’ with her close friend’s husband, South Australian Labor minister Chris Picton.
As revealed on Sunday, Mr Picton’s diary also shows no evidence of a scheduled meeting with Ms Wells on either the afternoon of 7 June or at the birthday party that evening.
“It is time the Prime Minister showed some integrity and sacked Anika Wells,” Senator Henderson said.
“This is more damning evidence that Anika Wells concocted fake meetings to justify staying overnight in Adelaide so she could charge taxpayers for the business class flight home.”
“The Ministerial Code of Conduct makes it clear that ministers must be scrupulous in ‘ensuring the legitimacy and accuracy of any claim for ministerial, parliamentary or travel expenses.’ The code also requires ministers to take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not mislead the public or the Parliament.”
“Minister Wells has failed on both counts. She has treated taxpayers with contempt.”
The party is over for Anika Wells. She should go and go now,” Senator Henderson said.