Anika Wells, the Australian Minister for Communications, has admitted that her recent travel claims have caused the public to erupt. Funded entirely by taxpayer dollars, these claims have drawn widespread outrage. One of those claims focuses on a trip to New York City that earned a questionable six-and-a-half-minute speech that cost $100,000. On top of that, there were indulgent dinners and hours-long Comcar driver waits during recruiting fairs and events. Wells does not waver in the face of this backlash, maintaining that she complied with every rule regarding travel spending. To be transparent, she has further invited an independent audit.
Wells currently takes on the responsibilities of three separate ministerial portfolios, which has her travelling across the country regularly. As she has publicly declared, the demands on her time are “crushing.” She gets, literally, thousands of requests to come to different communities. In light of this huge travel, questions have been raised about whether any of her expenses were proper.
Breakdown of Travel Expenses
Wells was already in hot water over plowing through $144,000 for a taxpayer-funded steak and lobster dinner in Paris. We’re owed a big bill — the maximum allowed — $1,000 for food expenditures, $750 additional for the booze. Critics have long called such spending out as wasteful, particularly when they use taxpayer dollars. On one occasion at a corporate box at a sport event, Wells kept the Comcar drivers waiting for as long as 10 hours. That one-year extension cost taxpayers an estimated $3 billion.
Wells canceled an upcoming trip after her scheme was exposed but all-too-conveniently booked taxpayer-funded flights for her husband to meet her at other high-profile events. They once attended the Boxing Day cricket tests and AFL grand finals together. The high cost of such trips has led to criticism and concerns among neighboring opposition members.
“I absolutely accept those figures prompt a gut reaction in people, I honestly accept that. I agree with everybody that parliamentarians’ expenses should be scrutinised,” – Anika Wells
Wells has said she is confident that she followed all guidelines that govern travel expenses. To her credit, she suggested that she has been careful in how she’s approached changes to her travel program.
“I always give really thoughtful care in the decisions I make in regard to my program … I really do do my best,” – Anika Wells
Calls for Independent Review
Wells’ proactive efforts seem aimed at the increasing public scrutiny. She has admitted her travel claims to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for an audit. She is convinced that only an independent and outside review will erase any lingering doubts about the propriety of her expenses and restore public trust.
Despite calls from opposition members, including Senator Paterson, for her to step aside pending the audit’s outcome, Wells has refused to do so. She explained her passion for doing the work that she has been called to do with a clear and determined focus on her tasks and duties as a minister.
“I think it’s really important that an independent authority be just that, that I don’t pre-empt what the independent authority thinks,” – Anika Wells
The audit will review three and a half years worth of travel claims. It will teach us about the unprecedented period Wells spent during that time.
Political Reactions and Implications
That unfolding situation has caught the eye of a host of national politicians. Members of the opposition have spoken to the house about how these actions may constitute a breach of the ministerial code of conduct. Others contend that the government might be encouraged by their electoral victory at the polls and think they can avoid the scrutiny.
“There is a real sense from this government that they had a big election win and can basically get away with anything,” – Senator Paterson
Wells’ case certainly raises serious questions about transparency and accountability for the use of big-dollar political expenditures. Taxpayers are insisting that we take a closer look at all the ways that public officials are wasting their dollars. How this historic moment will play out and what it means for governing to come is still unclear.
