Sarah Henderson has demanded Anthony Albanese stand down Communications Minister Anika Wells after freedom of information records failed to substantiate meetings she cited to justify a taxpayer-funded trip to Adelaide for a friend’s 40th birthday. 

Ms Wells spent about $3,700 travelling to Adelaide between June 6 and June 8 last year, defending the trip on the basis that she had official engagements alongside attending the birthday party. 

But records obtained by the opposition showed Don Farrell’s office could not locate text messages, emails, diary entries or other documents confirming a meeting with his chief of staff. 

Previously disclosed diary excerpts from former South Australian health minister Chris Picton also failed to record a meeting with Ms Wells, although a spokesman for Mr Picton confirmed the pair had spoken at the birthday function. 

Speaking to News24 on Sunday, Ms Henderson accused the minister of misleading parliamentary expenses authorities and called on the Prime Minister to intervene. 

“I do think she is lying. I think she has lied to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority … it’s clear that there is no evidence that the meetings occurred,” she said. 

“There’s been successive freedom of information documents uncovered which cannot show any proof whatsoever.” 

Ms Henderson said the Prime Minister should act, accusing the government of repeatedly misleading Australians on major policy issues. 

“This is in Labor’s DNA, but it is very clear that Anika Wells has lied about this trip to Adelaide,” she said. 

“She was not on parliamentary business, she was at a birthday party. 

“The Prime Minister needs to take action and stand her down. As I say, the music and the party is over.” 

The dispute centres on Ms Wells’ explanation for staying overnight in Adelaide and claiming the cost of her return business-class flight on taxpayers.  

She has said she met with Mr Picton and Mr Farrell’s office during the visit. 

Ms Wells recently told the ABC she provided all necessary information for the trip to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.

“That’s a good thing. I expect scrutiny as a Parliamentarian. IPEA did a complete audit of that trip and the 250 other trips,” she said. 

“All parties on that trip confirmed publicly those engagements, and IPEA made its conclusions and published a report five months ago back in May.”

She said she met with Don Farrell’s office during the trip and that the meeting had been confirmed. 

Ms Henderson argued that without the claimed official business, the minister should have paid for her own return flight. 

“She’s argued that her parliamentary business finished early in the evening with a nonsensical claim that she had a meeting at a birthday party with one of her closest friend’s husband, who happens to be a South Australian Labor Minister,” Ms Henderson said. 

“And by claiming that her parliamentary business finished early in the evening, she’s then, if that was true, she would then be entitled to fly home on the taxpayers’ dime.” 

She said Ms Wells could have stayed overnight but would have needed to cover the return fare herself if her parliamentary business had finished at lunchtime. 

Ms Henderson also pointed to 93 days of unanswered questions on notice seeking details about the alleged meeting with Mr Picton, including when and where it took place and how long it lasted. 

“Not only should she repay that fare, but I think the Prime Minister needs to stand her down,” she said.  

“It’s clear she has lied. It’s clear she’s lied to IPIA and also to the Parliament.” 

The renewed attack comes after Ms Wells was required to repay $10,116.11 following an audit of family reunion travel.  

The review found four trips did not fully satisfy the requirements of parliamentary benefits regulations, with the total including a penalty loading. 

The Adelaide trip is a separate matter.