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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Kris Swales

Afternoon Update: Anika Wells claims thousands in family travel expenses; NSW firefighter dies; and a celebrity hard launch

Communications and sport minister Anika Wells at the National Press Club in Canberra last week.
Communications and sport minister Anika Wells at the National Press Club in Canberra last week. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Good afternoon.

The opposition is demanding reforms to expense rules and an inquiry into Anika Wells’ spending amid further revelations about the minister for communications and sport’s family travel expenses. There is no suggestion Wells contravened the family travel rules.

Wells claimed more than $8,500 in family travel expenses to Melbourne during AFL grand final weekends in 2022, 2023 and 2024, when she received free suite tickets to the matches. The latest revelation comes after questions were raised about the nearly $100,000 cost to taxpayers for the minister and two staff to fly to New York City which was signed off by the prime minister.

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In pictures

Katy Perry appeared to confirm via Instagram selfie that she is in a relationship with Justin Trudeau after months of speculation about a possible romance.

What they said …

***

“I’m philosophically aligned with One Nation. I’m a conservative and I’m not embarrassed about it.” – Barnaby Joyce

The former deputy prime minister finalised his long-anticipated move to Pauline Hanson’s rightwing party after quitting the Nationals last month.

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Where is four-year-old Gus Lamont?

Despite one of the largest and most intensive searches for a missing person in South Australia, no trace has been found of the little boy.

Senior reporter Tory Shepherd speaks to Reged Ahmad about how he has seemingly vanished, and left only questions about what could have happened.

Listen to the episode here.

Before bed read

“Now is the time of year when some of my clients want to talk about Christmas,” writes Dr Antonia Saunokonoko, a Sydney addiction specialist. She discusses the dilemma people who struggle with drinking face at Christmas – and why staying sober can make for a much more enjoyable day.

Daily word game

Today’s starter word is: TOR. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.

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