Anika Wells ‘sneering’ at every small business after ‘prancing around’ in Question Time

Sky News host Paul Murray says the Aged Care and Sports Minister Anika Wells thought she was “special” after “prancing around” in Question Time.
Mr Murray said Anika Wells tried to make it seem like the average taxpayer had the potential to fund trips to the Superbowl.
“The lady on 400 thousand dollars is yet again sneering at every small business that she will pretend to be on the side of between now and the next election.”

[@DannyHawthorne-w9t]

The arrogance that the labor party has for the honest hardworking Australian people is utterly disgraceful

[@caseyboekel3326]

I had the misfortune of running a construction job in Canberra and while we started at 6 in the freezing cold and then walk to a local deli for lunch all we saw was bureaucrats sitting around in restaurants with plates galore of food and empty wine bottles all over the tables, These people have no idea how tough running a small business is - As if we have the time to wine and dine anyone when were struggling to make ends meet under more and more multi coloured tapes!!

[@johnmu7034]

And I bet some of these on the gravy train would claim their lunches on their expense accounts

[@Anon54387]

Here in California when we were all shut down due to covid, Gavin Newsom had a big party at a French restaurant with his cronies. Moreover, a woman in Los Angeles area that owned a bar and grill was told she couldn't open due to covid. She spent a significant amount of money to install a dining area in the parking lot and was told she couldn't even use that. Yet that very weekend in that very same parking lot Hollywood put up tents and hired a caterer to celebrate a movie premier, that somehow doesn't spread covid I guess, but a small business owner, well, her so-called peon customers must spread viruses more readily than wealthy Hollywood types.

[@raythomas8259]

The Bloated Canberra Pig Troughs

[@KingsleyThomson-j1w]

Well said they insult our intelligence by saying they understand cost of living and how we are doing it tough,,,she is just another blunt tool in ALBOS shed of blunt tools,,,

[@WendyHein]

My hairdresser is a single mother and works all the hours God sends as a sole trader. She's on her feet all day, in spite of the fact that she actually has arthritis in her feet and is in pain 24/7. She doesn't even have time to take anyone out to lunch, let alone go to the superbowl, unlike Madam who seems to have time for every sports event that's happening.

[@brothermaynard3200]

The more desperate they get, the more outrageous the lies become. It would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.

[@IcanBePsycho]

Pollys sure love living it up on the tax payers dime 🤬

[@Bitofsnoo-d4k]

Why do you think they don't post public appearances...

[@connorduke4619]

Socialist pollies are insecure Narcissistic grifters who do not want anyone else to live a rich life.

[@damo7228]

What's a dime ?. Oh you are a septic troll. Forgive me

[@lloydsingline340]

None more so than the Labor party .I don't know Anika Wells background but many Labor parliamentarians are from the trade union movement and wouldn't have a clue about the hours and costs involved in running a small business. They shouldn't be in parliament making laws !!

[@IcanBePsycho]

@@damo7228 Nuh mate, I’m Aussie, that’s just a saying, “do you know what sayings are?”.

[@tonyhanley9458]

When did she have time to do any bloody work, she’s at more sports events than anywhere else

[@every1665]

That list of tickets to events would leave even the privacy craving Markles exhausted.

[@rapscallion9333]

Wells is so out of touch with ordinary Australians, she fully endorsed Sam Kerr's disgusting , entitled behaviour.

[@ShaunHks]

The judge also endorsed Kerry’s behaviour!! Hardly a surprise! One has to wonder if it was the other way round, a white Neville Nobody calling a police officer stupid and black!

[@niftynev4779]

Wish I could give you 1000 thumbs up for that comment. Anika Wells, does not speak for this Australian and never will.

[@user-rf2el4gh5d]

Australia is a country of Public Servants, Consultants, with NO manufacturing industries all thanks to Labor who HATE SMALL BUSINESS

[@damo7228]

No manufacturing at all sweetie ? Nothing not a thing ?

[@patkelly6349]

Typical. Rotten to the core

[@anthonymasluk2295]

Yup shes a scumbag

[@robertameyers9172]

Wells has no clue of the aged care well being.

[@DouglasJBoyd-fz9fb]

Politicians haven't given a RATS ASS about taxpayers for to long

[@benrussian9206]

a deduction is not spending tax payers money. it's reducing your expenses

[@roz7441]

And that's how thick this Labor lot are. As they say ,empty vessels make more sound

[@Surething1974]

Used to live in her electorate, ask a question, that questions her agenda = BLOCK - I am blocked!

[@every1665]

I find ALL MPs' email addresses are pointless. Never received a response to any of them - not even an acknowledgement that an email was received.

[@Anon54387]

@@every1665 Much the same here in the USA. The Congressional district I live in had one of the few Representatives that actually answered mail from constituents. He did as many as he could himself, but if he ran out of time he'd have a staffer get back to us. The Democrats redrew his district in a way that it was majority Democrat because he was one of the Republicans that was good at investigating Democrats. Now went from a RINO to a Democrat and neither of them bothered to answer constituent mail. Similarly, college teachers and administrators are out of touch. The teachers make $150k and the administrators $500k and more. And they have a lot of them, administering a department of only 10 people. To make that kind of money in management in the private sector one manages operations with hundreds of people or more. And university presidents make millions, these people make more than the president of the USA.

[@Anon54387]

@@every1665 When there were Supreme Court nomination hearings one person supporting the nominee that Trump sent to the Court said the judge was, to keep it short, a friend to business thus to prosperity thus to people. This person talked about the difficulties in business because of regulation. The Senator listening to this said I disagree with your characterization of regulation and its effects on business. So I looked this Senator up, he went right from college to working for various federal regulatory agencies to the Congress. He'd never owned a business, never managed a business someone else owned, indeed hadn't even worked in a business. His entire experience in life was in government, and he hadn't been outside a government run environment since the age of 4. The person he was disagreeing with had owned businesses for decades, and he had the nerve to call her to task.

[@every1665]

@@Anon54387 Similar to the 'Just Stop Oil' protestors who have no idea how much their standard of living relies on oil for a multitude of products and energy.

[@every1665]

@@Anon54387 When ordinary people want/need more money they have to earn it. When governments want more money, they pass a law!

[@mikldude9376]

Thanks for showing us that mate , her true colors have been shown.

[@AnchorsAweighNarooma]

Some MP think that there position gives special perks, they forget (or want to) they are in the job to serve Australia and Australians, another shame on our pollys.

[@RC-og1dp]

Keep on calling them out Paul

[@JasmineAlexander-ms7jj]

These people should not earn $400K

[@stephenkirton9921]

They get paid that much,none of them "earn" it !!!

[@Rancho-Relaxo]

Earn is the wrong word…🤔

[@lindawilcox4279]

Thanks Paul. Well said and explained. Most people have no understanding of how hard it is for small business owners, who may even work 60 to 80 hours per week for the $75k you mentioned and often with no paid leave for anything..including being sick Often when a small business starts from scratch, they will earn nothing for a couple of years to get the business off the ground and a large percentage even go broke within 5 years

[@ianking-jv4hg]

i am an aged pensioner now, Not 20 or 30 anymore. Is this woman's portfolio a contradiction? Aged Care and Sports ? Surely only the Losing Labor could think of such a mismatch !

[@jantergibbins85]

Pointless well paid job for woman

[@mh7760-b2q]

Couldn't agree more. More sports than aged care in her Little Me world.

[@jantergibbins85]

@@ianking-jv4hg pointless well paid womens job

[@old_rodent_8157]

They bumped up their pays then took 2-3 payed positions, they deserve a cell...

[@supercededman]

more like Aged Care Less.

[@old_rodent_8157]

Corruption at it's finest....

[@viti8347]

Vote this (expletive deleted) OUT!

[@MrBoranup]

sick of these immoral politicians should be made accountable

[@vivian9187]

All crooks think everyone else is a crook

[@MrRatclima]

Exactly. Sums up the authoritarian mindset to a tee.

[@tracyrice9282]

Well said Many if these ppl are like usa Democrats What Trump is doing for Usa is what a person who loves their country would do an audit of shady spending and mismanagement

[@connorduke4619]

What, yet another raving Narcissist in Albo's cabinet? Colour me shocked! And BTW that's taking DEI a little too far.

[@jaserogers3825]

What a freaking joke.how out of touch is this woman

[@geofflubich2837]

Who paid for all those tickets, or were they gifts that she failed to declare.

[@ShaunHks]

They were gifts, she didn’t pay a cent. Even used taxpayer funds to attend most. She showed them as they were declared making them legal and within the rules and just to rub it in taxpayers faces. They are a different, entitled breed our politicians! They are expert in stealing our oxygen!

[@rigger314]

How about she now pays for all those tickets, wouldnt that be good and see how many she would actually go to if that were the case

[@every1665]

If they were sincere about "being in touch with their portfolio", the minister for social security should be paid the age pension and get a public transport concession card rather than a Com car. And the defence minister would sleep in a barracks and do physical training several days a week.

[@Martinoconnor-du6lc]

@@every1665 exactly. every minister should have worked in the field their ministry covers. minister of agriculture=farmer, minister of defence= someone with military background. instead we get know nothings.

[@GregoryBamber]

Paul she has no bloody idea whatsoever !!!!

[@anthonymasluk2295]

She’s a scumbag

[@douglipscomb3002]

I looked up Miss Wells biography, and the only job I can see that she's ever had was five years as a lawyer. Hardly makes her qualified to comment on small business. Typical of Labor, most have never had a real job, and are used to bludging on other peoples money.

[@susiekopp1806]

When they do it’s for the people but we do anything it’s tax evasion and illegal. 😂😂😂😂

[@Mary-anneBrown-u7v]

All states should get rid of payroll tax. Why should businesses be punished for employing people? You want to kick start an economy. This is the way to go.

[@jacquiburke5523]

They can continue to show their total ignorance. We can then see just how USELESS they are. As for this woman, she definitely has NO idea that small business in the back bone of this GREAT country.

[@timvanschuilenburg1524]

Im a roof carpenter by trade here in perth WA. I work for myself / run my own busimess. Us roofies have had our sqm rate dropped 3 times in the past 2 years. my offsider often out earns me. If its dropped again i will be pulling the plug as its barely worth doing the hard yakka now at the current sqm rate. Especially as i worked 3/4 the time on my own ( making the job far harder and more dangerous ) as its seems bloody impossible to find any decent hammer hands or apprentices.

[@Martin_Priesthood]

Sometimes small business owners don't even have time/resources for extravagance

[@ShawnLucas-n7b]

The labour party have no idea

[@tracyrice9282]

Not all small biz are cafes These bureacrats are ridiculous

[@adrianw7011]

Anika Wells is clearly not across the detail of these policies, her portfolio or much else when looking back at some of her previous comments. Definitely a model Labor minister, light on detail, knowledge and consideration for the hard working people of Australia.

[@deant6627]

This is exactly why it should be a requirement that in order to be eligible to be a politician you must have owned & personally/ successfully operated a small business for a minimum of 10 years to stop the entitled career politicians getting into parliament that literally have no fucking idea what it's like in the real world. Owners of large corporations or companies shouldn't be eligible as they usually have advisers to make decisions for them.

[@andrewhammonds4845]

Give us a DOGE!

[@JULIE-POWER]

Australians are not the No.1 priority for the Labor Government

[@di_r67]

People who,live in glass houses ………she’s such a hypocrite. Typical Laborite!!!

[@64fargo]

I run a small business, we've had to cut back. Wells earns about 5 times my salary - i employee 2 staff (who currently get paid more than me) and I work 60 hours a week. Your an idiot Wells - so you dont want small business to have this as a deduction, not that i can afford to take anyone out to lunch anyway. What deductions do you claim Wells? So sounds like your taking money from Elizabeth as well!!! You'd probably have a beach house , or two, claim your expenses and travel there and back, claim your clothes, claim your Lattes, you'd claim your Prosecco if you could. Here's a thought - maybe Elizabeth isnt happy about the fact your Labor govt. has increased spending in the public service since 2022 by over $31 billion dollars - So Wells maybe if you hadnt done that Elizabeth may of been able to see a GP quicker, or have the Police turn up when called, or not have to wait 9 hours in emergency to be seen. And Labor wonder why Australia doesnt like them.

[@Tradesatwork]

Anika Wells lack of understanding is a joke. I was a small tradie business and did quite well (half what Anika earns) but there was no time to be at every sporting event. The government then taxed me at the top rate so Anika can go.

[@johneagleton2651]

This is why I have turned away from labour after 20 years, far left out of touch hypocrites. Time to give Dutton ago is what I say

[@RobertBinedell]

Why were the Libs voted out? They were rubbish.Now you want them back in.Doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result 🤓🤓🤓

[@frednerk3477]

I cannot believe she thinks Australian small businesses can afford to go to the Super Bowl. No wonder this Labor lot is offside with the people.

[@ivansultanoff6719]

Labor must realise Small Businesses are driving force-that is where you get most taxes from and yet Labor is destroying it? Again-Labor has no business sense

[@karinawinwood7419]

where did she find time to do any work, is she working or hardly working

[@MarkHines-p8d]

The comment made by Anika is the pot calling the kettle black. You just have to look at how the councils spend ratepayers money on various non essential trips and employee workshops not to mention non essential in-house government spending. What a hypacrit.

[@stevenmitchell7830]

Don't worry. Small business people are quickly going extinct. I guess everyone can work for one of our oversized unproductive governments... or the NDIS.

As usual, her father was a reasonably in touch politician, but, similar to our recent ex premier Palasczcuk, Anika Wells seems to have the opinion that it is her deserved birthright to dump on the ordinary hard working Australian small business owner.

[@johnking8789]

Where is the dud Julie Collins the supposed minister for small business. Never see her looking after her portfolio. Same as the housing portfolio.

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

A $10,000 dress, makes a mint every year, drives a new BMW. So shut up, you peasants! She has your best interests at heart!! 😂😂😂

[@Pedroaghyu]

This is What the Australian voters voted for, you wanted socialism and now enjoy what it brings

[@susiekopp1806]

Labor feel sorry for everyone else except people working hard rather than getting benefits.

[@raymondford1543]

And the Australian taxpayer pays for all of her outings and meal and travel expenses. Well in exces of of $20,00 AT TAXPAYERS EXPERIENCE

[@damo7228]

Who do you reckon pays for Duttons ?

[@Bully1973]

One word "HYPOCRIT".

[@agentsmithmememe]

The hypocrisy is insane

[@Staarker99]

I work too hard in the hot sun for my money to see this crap.

[@jamierogers7557]

Well said.

[@StevenMilne-sm4fk]

Organised crime.

[@GregoryRussell-e6e]

Overpaid Polly

[@stevenicholson8312]

I had 2 video stores, that didn't end well. I didn't draw a wage and worked 6 days a week sometimes seven for the last 2 years I had them, somehow I never made it to the Superbowl. These idiots are in lala land.

[@damo7228]

A video store in 2025 ?

[@stevenicholson8312]

@damo7228 Not in 2025, over 10 years ago but small business still tough then and worse now.

[@edwardbec9844]

What 20 grand to spend .. never .. its gonna be Invested into assets .. to expand Business to produce an income its called Productivity .. I see no Productivity from any Labor Minister .. So does she even know how many small businesses are in her electorate?

[@myocomflowers2639]

they avoid the productivity question like the plague

[@petewest5973]

I’m a small business owner with 7 employees , I’ve built it over 13 years , I’m actually trading best ever , however my profit is shrinking because of wage pressure and inflation . I can’t afford labor if Dutto fails to reign in govt spending and steady the ship , I don’t see a future . Why push on and pay all the taxes , when it’s being squandered . It’s not motivating I tell you.

[@tracyrice9282]

Small biz should care about inflation and growing not impoverishing workers who also need to live and put $$$ back in the economy Robbing workers is mindset of politicians and banks Think bigger

[@asnail6550]

@@tracyrice9282considering Pete said his profit is shrinking because of wages growth meaning he is paying more in wages it would appear your comment is wrong, and how can you grow your business when you are earning less bigger business means more wages less profit, you should try starting a small business your attitude would soon change

[@tracyrice9282]

@@asnail6550 Small biz who scream thieving workers is ok because cant afford to hire them are also a problem Workers like employers need to live they also spend $$$ in economy creating more biz and jobs for workers Parroting corrupt politicians and bankers does not assist Australian economy biz workers cost of living and growing prosperity of Australia

[@tracyrice9282]

Give you an example people who dont think want goose to lay more golden eggs while starving the goose This is mindset of about 90% of Australian parliament

[@asnail6550]

@@tracyrice9282who the hell said thieving workers

[@Bitofsnoo-d4k]

How many small business' are left? It's been record on record for a couple of years now?

[@lukeclifton4392]

…and I bet she didn’t know and couldn’t even recall what person/teams/horses were actually playing/running at any one of these events!!

[@stephenkirton9921]

As if she needs to go to the Brownlow medal count!!!

[@vindenis6844]

Does she do any real work?

[@Cameronsutubes]

Nothing to see here . but hey look at the local cafe ripping off the country .

[@kilburn1313]

How much is she costing in total...?

[@rodsloane706]

Anika Wells? 'Lovely' little double standard, mouth off isn't she.... Typical of all of the Albanese led Labor gov't really.

[@mrststreasures9628]

WOW! Don't let what happened to us (USA 2020 election) happen to y'all!!

[@manoman61960]

Where do Labor get all these dills from? Emily's List is certainly producing some amazing candidates for Labor.

[@leslieboardman-z5c]

That goes to show they earn to much money there paid to much

[@kevinmoor6408]

How many free car trips and airflights have Luigi and Fang taken to gorge themselves on taxpayer funded buffets and meals. The well named Foreign Minister is beginning to look like Korea Kim after combining handing out taxpayer millions and the scoff. Live TV feed from Parliamentary Dining Rooms and Bars would rate well.

[@sharonbarnes5603]

If they truly believed in this country they would take a pay cut. And how does she have a gall when their lunch budget is larger than the old age pension, hypocrites the lot!!!!

[@every1665]

Drunk with power. Good!

[@grahamforbes4768]

Looney labor at its finest

[@PhilipGibbs-s6x]

$20,000 per year is $400 per week. Who would spend that much.

[@ibanezlaney]

It is designed to be an easy rort for business owners. Bank/Card statements show where you spent money - not what it was on. So when they say it isn't applicable to things like alcohol it is just bs. They will buy themselves and their mates beers and say it was a meal at the pub with a prospective customer who also just happens to be their mate. And you will pay for it via your taxes.

[@trevorkelly3148]

​unless it has changed since Labor came you have to keep receipts and have to keep them fir 7 year. Statements are acceptable for income but not expenses.

[@rigger314]

Well going on how the excise on alcohol keeps going up even with this small businesses might struggle to buy the end of carton for the workers

[@ohasis8331]

Funny how the same bottle of spirits here is about 4-5 times the price in Japan. Cigarettes are several times cheaper there too.

[@Bitofsnoo-d4k]

@@ohasis8331 Vegemite is cheaper in the UK....20 cents, but also on other side of planet?

[@ohasis8331]

@@Bitofsnoo-d4k I recall as a kid how we had to pay more for our dairy products as most were shipped to the UK and were much cheaper for the Brits.

[@stephenkirton9921]

​@ohasis8331 Not being a smart arse but what dairy products and how long ago??? I'm originally from England and the only products that I encountered back in 1980 was Foster's Carlton Draught and Melbourne Bitter, I preferred the Carlton Draught😂😂😂😂

[@ohasis8331]

@@stephenkirton9921 Immediately post WW2, mainly butter and cheese. I don't recall when that stopped.

[@Zindo.Majesty.HisMajesty]

Oh my God, the Australian news service is reporting on Australian news

[@stephenkirton9921]

Go away you Leftarded smooth brained little troll

[@stephenkirton9921]

Okay leftard

[@glennpassmore8441]

Oh but hang on. I'm allowed to do that. What are you talking about? 😆. C forever

[@AnthonySheehan]

lol. Her tax paid expenditure compared to small business owner having a client meeting at a cafe. What a joke.

[@myocomflowers2639]

Wells, is a classic in confession projection. Only someone who has privileged access on the taxpayer dime and has no real world experience could be this obtuse... out of touch much.

[@WayneButler-j1w]

No small business no country

[@WendyHein]

Typical politician, 'One rule for me and one for thee'. Disgusting

[@ohasis8331]

Very good.

[@agentsmithmememe]

Great idea Dutton

[@steventurner8428]

when I was young and stupid, I once thought that they labour party was " FOR " the average worker. Shit!! was I ever wrong

[@SteveMcGrath-ip6df]

Them puppies of hers are living a fine life,I can tell!,😜

[@rossmcgarry8055]

High beam?

[@alexfagyas9342]

MAGA : MAKE ALBO GO AWAY MAKE AUSTRALIA GODLY AGAIN WE NEED GOD IN OUR LIVES !!!!

[@grahamhutton1633]

19 employees! Is that 19 FULL TIME employees? What if you run a small business with a T/O below say $3 mil PA and have 35 mostly casual employees ?

[@raythomas8259]

Small Business has a Big Message for Labor- On Yer Bike

[@deancashin23]

Not only is she on 460K all her meal in parliament are free, travel free, accommodation free...all taxpayers $. Every small business person knows Labour hate them and the feeling is mutual.

[@daleplucknett278]

Labors policy is likely to be cash in an envelope from what I've heard.

[@zhv3062]

hahaha I saw 2x Taylor Swift 2024 tickets !! ahahaah These fools. Need to get them out.

[@miryana79]

No penalty rates actually anymore. The job agencies are not part of Commonwealth government either.

[@lookstraight9770]

bring home prices down

[@ayfj4572]

It is a stupid policy from the Libs. Of course, it was going to be weaponized by Labor. How did it get through the common sense committee? As you said Paul small business would never have that kind of money hanging around, so it only helps the really big players.

[@rickwood8719]

Love it when politicians are caught with their snout in the trough. Paid $403k pa I think its probably $400k too much 🤷‍♂️

[@Threeredbells]

Thats offensive and threatening. Im a successful small businesses which is a minority.

[@mickeyH1018]

Not one politician would know what a hard day's work was why well its not hard spending someone's else's money and Labor is very very very good at that. ( LABOR A PARTY OF LOW LIVES ) 🤬🤬