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PM Defends $100K Trip Amid Social Media Scrutiny

12/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended a $100,000 trip to New York for Communications Minister Anika Wells and two others to promote Australia’s social media ban at the United Nations General Assembly.
The decision faced scrutiny after Wells used taxpayer-funded entitlements for a family skiing trip.
Wells said UN attendance was critical for Australia’s under-16s social media regulations.
She maintained that all expenses were within entitlement rules.

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Story summary

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended a $100,000 trip to New York for Communications Minister Anika Wells and two others to promote Australia’s social media ban at the United Nations General Assembly.
The decision faced scrutiny after Wells used taxpayer-funded entitlements for a family skiing trip.
Wells said UN attendance was critical for Australia’s under-16s social media regulations.
She maintained that all expenses were within entitlement rules.