Daily Mail asked Anika Wells about a curious husband omission from her record. Her answer sparks a firestorm of criticism: 'Pattern of deception'

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 05:39, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 05:52, 1 July 2026 Embattled Sports Minister Anika Wells has been accused of a 'pattern of deception' after claiming she properly declared her husband's job as a corporate lobbyist - even though she did not disclose it on the parliamentary register.  Wells, who was forced to repay more than $10,000 to taxpayers for breaching parliamentary travel rules, is married to government relations specialist Finn McCarthy.  The Daily Mail asked Wells at a press conference this week why Mr McCarthy's job at lobbying firm SEC Newgate was never publicly disclosed to Parliament. 'Minister Wells, why did you fail to disclose your husband's role at SEC Newgate in the last term of parliament?' she was questioned. Wells replied: 'I disclosed it in 2019 and my register of interest is completely up to date.'  However, Wells’ register of interests contains no mention of the name of McCarthy’s employer during his time at SEC Newgate. Wells' office later pointed to a 2019 declaration that said her family derived income from her husband's 'employment'. But it did not state where he worked.  Wells' staff also claimed the conflict had been raised with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office, however, that disclosure was not public. Wells (right) told Daily Mail that her register of interests was 'up to date' but did not mention the name of her husband's employer during his time as a lobbyist  The omission raises serious questions, as ministers are required under the Ministerial Code of Conduct to declare any changes to their private interests, including their spouse's employment. Other federal ministers have disclosed the nature of their spouse's work. Health Minister Mark Butler declared his wife's work as a communications consultant, while Energy Minister Chris Bowen has disclosed his wife's previous role at Sydney Water.  It comes amid wider concerns about SEC Newgate’s links to Wells’ ministerial portfolio.  The lobbying firm donated to her election campaign, worked across sectors she oversaw and Wells approved a million-dollar government contract involving one of its clients. McCarthy was employed by SEC Newgate between June 2019 and February 2024, but his role was not listed in any of Wells' register entries for that period. SEC Newgate told Daily Mail that McCarthy had no involvement with any activities linked to Wells during his employment. Coalition sports spokeswoman Angie Bell said: 'Minister Wells has treated Australian taxpayers with contempt time and time again. Wells (left) was forced to repay $10,116 over breaches of travel rules earlier this year  What should be the consequences for politicians who fail to fully disclose potential conflicts of interest? What's your view?'Whether it's taxpayer-funded travel, disclosure obligations, or now trying to rewrite her record, this pattern of deception is impossible to ignore.' Bell also criticised Wells for previously denying she ever skipped Parliament for sporting events. 'I don't make it to a lot of major events, to a lot of major sporting events, and as a general rule, I don't miss Parliament to hit major sporting events,' Wells told Sky News on Monday. But in 2022, Wells skipped four days of Parliament to attend the FIFA World Cup. 'Yesterday she claimed she "doesn't skip Parliament for major sporting events", yet the public record clearly shows she attended the FIFA World Cup in Qatar while Parliament was sitting.' 'Australians aren't fools - they can see the facts for themselves.' 'This is a Minister defined by poor judgement, dodgy optics and lies. The Prime Minister can't keep pretending this is acceptable.' Queensland LNP Senator James McGrath also attacked Wells, saying she displayed 'no regard for taxpayers.' McCarthy (right) worked as a lobbyist for SEC Newgate between 2019 and 2024, which was not publicly disclosed on Wells' (left) register of interests  Finn McCarthy (pictured) is seen picking up a copy of The Saturday Paper 'Minister Wells has displayed a clear pattern of entitlement and poor judgement when it comes to taxpayer-funded expenses and ministerial accountability,' he said. 'Whether it is charging taxpayers to attend a friend's birthday party, using her allowances to take her family on a ski trip, or blowing $100,000 on a trip to New York, "Air Miles" Anika has shown no regard for taxpayers or the Ministerial Code of Conduct.' 'The questions surrounding Minister Wells' disclosures are just the latest example of a Minister who continues to treat accountability as an inconvenience rather than an obligation.' Since becoming a minister in 2022, Wells has charged taxpayers for a string of trips involving her husband, including about $7,000 for three AFL grand finals and nearly $3,000 for a Thredbo trip where her family went skiing. She also billed flights for Boxing Day Tests, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and other events, while accepting free tickets on multiple occasions. The scrutiny intensified after it emerged she spent $90,000 on a New York trip, with an audit later forcing her to repay $10,116 over breaches of travel rules. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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