WHAT WAS CLAIMED
A photo shows Communications Minister Anika Wells wearing expensive designer clothes in parliament.
OUR VERDICT
False. The photo has been edited.
AAP FACTCHECK - An Australian government minister did not wear a $50,000 designer outfit in parliament, despite claims online.
The claim is based on a version of a real photo of Communications Minister Anika Wells that's been digitally altered using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
A Facebook post features an image of Ms Wells in parliament wearing a printed gold blazer, gold chain necklaces, gold brooches and large rings.
"Have a look at this!!" the post states.
"This was parliament a few weeks ago, Anika Wells on just an average Tuesday, but checkout the outfit (sic)
"You're looking at $50 grand - minimum! (Look at her jewellery too, lol) But she needed to bill us for her kids to fly to Threadbo (sic)?"
Many Facebook users left comments that suggested they believed the fake image was real.
"Cost of living crisis? What cost of living crisis," one said.
"Louis Vuitton bag worth over 6k !!!"
Her jacket and brooches match the style of those sold by luxury brand Gucci, while what appears to be a Louis Vuitton handbag sits beside her.
The same image was earlier shared on X.
A Google reverse image search reveals the image is an altered version of a photo in an October 2025 ABC article.
In the authentic photo, Ms Wells wears a white blazer and simple jewellery.
The hands of ministers Anne Aly and Clare O'Neil, sitting on either side of the communications minister in the original, are still visible in the altered version.
Ms Wells faced scrutiny in late 2025 over a $100,000 taxpayer-funded trip to a UN summit in New York in September.
She also claimed thousands in expenses for family trips to sporting events and Thredbo.
The minister referred herself to the parliamentary expenses watchdog for an audit but maintained her claims met guidelines.
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