Federal Sports Minister Annika Wells is a 'shameless fan girl' who has got the major codes offside by 'using them' for photo opportunities, it has been claimed.
Wells has recently come under heavy scrutiny for her use of taxpayer funds for family travel.
She referred herself to the parliamentary expenses authority after it was revealed she repeatedly billed the public purse for chauffeured cars and family reunions.
Wells charged taxpayers almost $1000 for a chauffeur to wait for seven hours the day she attended the Australian Open in 2023 and more than $1200 for nine hours the day of the NRL and NRLW grand finals in 2022, according to the parliamentary expenses register.
Now respected sports journalist Andrew Webster has claimed her over-the-top desire to be seen with stars has long been an open secret in Australian sport.
'The travel expenses scandal gobbling up Sport Minister Anika Wells has exposed what most in the sporting sphere have known for years: she's a shameless fan girl who annoys athletes for selfies at major events,' Webster wrote for News Corp.
Sports Minister Anika Wells is pictured with stars from Brisbane's Norths Devils rugby league team. She is under heavy scrutiny for her use of taxpayer funds for family travel
Wells (circled) is pictured in one of her Instagram posts throwing confetti into the air after the Brisbane Lions won the AFL grand final this year
The minister (pictured with Brisbane Broncos star Pat Carrigan after the team won this year's NRL grand final) has been branded a 'shameless fan girl' by a respected sports journalist
'Or worse, makes snow angels in confetti strewn across the MCG after the Brisbane Lions win the AFL grand final and then posts it on her social media. Cringe.
'She's had the sport portfolio for more than three years, but most of the major codes reckon she merely uses them as a photo opportunity.'
Daily Mail has contacted Wells' office for comment.
Wells claimed flights under 'family reunion' rules, which allow politicians to claim three business-class airfares a year for family members to join them while they are travelling on official business.
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has called for Wells to step aside while a review into the matter is carried out.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off questions about whether travel perks were too generous, but didn't shut the door on reforms to the system.
'We're aware that issues are there and that taxpayers have a right to expect value for money,' he told reporters in Canberra.
'It's important ... that I don't influence that from the top.'
Wells (centre) is pictured with Paris Olympics gold medal winners Jess Fox (left) and her sister Noemie
It has been claimed that Australia's major sporting codes believe Wells (pictured with NRLW star Ali Brigginshaw) is 'using' them for photo opportunities
Politicians are allowed to claim travel expenses if their official duties are the 'dominant purpose' of the trip.
This means they can still attend other, non-political events, as long as their parliamentary duties are the main focus of their travel.
Asked if her husband should be able to enjoy big sporting games, Wells said the family travel guidelines weren't new.
'No one expects any forgiveness for the political class. I understand that,' she said.
'Yes, I always think about how this is going to look to people when we make decisions about when we use the family travel entitlement.'
The minister also spent $3000 on flights and allowances for her husband and children to join her at Thredbo in June 2024 while she attended meetings with Paralympics Australia and Adaptive Festival organisers.