11 including a 25% penalty loading. Wells said the audit found no misconduct or ethical breaches, and that over four years of travel involving nearly 250 separate trips, she made four mistakes. Among the breaches was travel by her husband to collect their child while Wells had Covid-19, a trip not deemed official parliamentary business, and a return flight after the AFL grand final that was outside the rules.
Wells also repaid some costs for official travel in government cars. Controversy also arose over a trip to New York costing over $100,000 to promote a social media ban for under-16s at a UN event. The audit found that trip did not breach rules, as Wells had limited flight options and took due regard for value for money.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended Wells, rejecting calls for her to resign, and noted that opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie had also breached travel rules and remained in her role.