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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Sports Minister Anika Wells posed like star-struck radio contest winners at the State of Origin in Melbourne last night, snapping photos with NBA star Josh Giddey.
It was all part of the hospitality put on by NRL head honcho Peter V'landys.
Ordinarily, a Sports Minister at the State of Origin wouldn't rate a mention, but Wells is no ordinary minister. She's a walking reminder of everything voters despise about political entitlements.
This is the minister whose Thredbo family holiday became a taxpayer-funded headache for the government.
She had to repay more than $10,000 after an audit found multiple expense breaches, and her judgment was already in question before reports surfaced of a $300-plus Comcar bill for a two kilometre trip.
Yet Albo continues to stand by her, more worried about the optics of a sacking than doing what's right.
No doubt they couldn't help but fly to the game at taxpayers' expense to take it all in.
The PM then jetted back to Sydney for a media conference today alongside the Treasurer today, defending a spate of new taxes that were ruled out before the election but slipped into the budget anyway. Oh, the irony.
Well, well, Wells! Anika Wells shows her face in the corporate box at the State of Origin last night, posing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and basketballer Josh Giddey
The optics of last night highlight exactly why she needs to be shifted to a portfolio far away from VIP events.
Wells' presence last night was the truly awkward affair, serving as a perfect case study of why she should no longer hold the Sports portfolio.
The travel, the access, the private boxes, the canapés, and the photo ops are all part of the job.
But given Wells' track record (mis)using taxpayer money, that is precisely the problem.
With her history of entitlements scandals, Wells should no longer occupy a role built around lurks and perks.
The PM clearly thinks it's okay, most voters would disagree.
Albo doesn't even have to sack Wells from the ministry altogether to fix the situation. He just needs to move her somewhere with fewer private boxes and free drinks.
Perhaps back to Aged Care, into Social Services, or give her a stint managing the NDIS.
Let's see how addicted Wells is to 'essential work travel' then.
After everything that has happened with Wells, 'it's all part of the job' is a weak defence for a minister who hasn't always played within the rules.
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