Ministerial Address

Wednesday 12 October 2022

9:45am – 10:15am

Speaker Bio

Minister for Aged Care and Sport Anika Wells is the Federal Member for Lilley and lives in Chermside with her husband Finn, daughter Celeste, twins Ossian and Dashiell and their rescue kelpie Don.

Prior to entering the Federal Parliament in 2019, Anika graduated from Griffith University and worked as a lawyer for people injured at work or on the road.

Following the election of the Albanese Government in May 2022, Anika was appointed the Minister for Aged Care and the Minister for Sport.

Anika became a parliamentarian to be a good ancestor, a good member of her community and to ensure Millennials have a seat at the decision-making table.

In 2015, she co-founded the Chermside Parkrun event that recently celebrated its 7^th anniversary and in her role as Sport Minister is passionate about inclusivity and participation in sport.

Within 100 days of being sworn in as Minister, the Royal Commission Response Bill was passed – legislating needed reforms like the publication of star ratings, a code of conduct for the aged-care sector and an extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to home care and flexible care.

The Minister also made a submission to the Fair Work Commission for a pay rise that will help bring care workers the rewards their crucial roles deserve.

Minister Wells is determined to reform aged care and restore dignity to older Australians.