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<\/p>\nSports Minister Anika Wells has not ruled out the possibility that she held a \u201cmeeting\u201d at a birthday party during a taxpayer funded trip which the parliamentary watchdog said was within the rules.<\/p>\n
It comes after the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) ordered Ms Wells to pay back more than $10,000 to the taxpayer for breaking the rules.<\/p>\n
The authority revealed four of Ms Wells’ 25 taxpayer-funded family trips did not fully meet regulations governing parliamentary benefits.<\/p>\n
However one of the trips, in which Ms Wells travelled business class from Brisbane to Adelaide to attend a 40th birthday was deemed within the rules.<\/p>\n
During that trip, Ms Wells attended the celebrations of her friend Connie Blefari, whose husband is South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton.<\/p>\n
Documents released by IPEA revealed Ms Wells told the watchdog that a scheduled meeting with the office of Trade Minister Don Farrell \u201cran over time\u201d.<\/p>\n
This meant that a subsequent meeting with Mr Picton did not proceed as planned but Ms Wells told IPEA she \u201cheld a sideline meeting during a function later that evening\u201d.<\/p>\n
The watchdog accepted that explanation, concluding \u201cit was reasonable for the minister to remain overnight and travel back the next morning\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Wells\u2019 office declined to say where the \u201csideline meeting\u201d occurred and has not denied it took place at Ms Blefari\u2019s birthday celebration.<\/p>\n
Ms Wells apologised after the IPEA findings were released on Friday, describing the incidents as \u201chonest mistakes\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese were four cases where I chose what I thought was the more sensible, cheaper option, but those choices were not allowed according to the rules,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Wells said she \u201caccepted and respected\u201d the findings and had paid back the $10,000 owed to taxpayers with a penalty loading.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his minister, noting she had referred herself to the independent watchdog and repaid the money.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnika Wells has apologised, she has paid back the money as was appropriate,\u201d Mr Albanese said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnika Wells is a very good minister.\u201d<\/p>\n
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