NSW Premier Open to Rule Change After MP Misuses Ministerial Car at Taxpayer Expense

NSW Premier Chris Minns speaks during a press conference at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia, on April 14, 2024. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns said he is open to changing rules to prevent further misuse of taxpayer-funded vehicles after Transport Minister Jo Haylen used a ministerial car for a private lunch.

“I think the best thing I can do is look at changing the rules to ensure that this isn’t done again, and that the public can have confidence that it doesn’t come down to a judgment call by a minister—it’s just not allowed,” Minns said.

When asked if all ministerial driver logbooks should be audited following the controversy, Minns responded, “I expect everybody to comply with the rules, but I also expect everybody to show good judgment here.”

Taxpayer-Funded Trip Sparks Backlash

Haylen organised a government vehicle to drive her and friends, including Rose Jackson, minister for housing and mental health, to a long lunch at Brokenwood Wines in Pokolbin on the Australia Day long weekend.

The official logbook shows the chauffeur left Sydney in a Kia Carnival van at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25 and drove to Haylen’s home on the Swansea Peninsula, south of Newcastle. From there, the driver took Haylen and her group to the Hunter Valley winery, where they dined for three hours before returning.

The driver clocked off just before 9 p.m., making it a nearly 13-hour shift.

Jackson was not involved in organising the ministerial transport.

Haylen later agreed to reimburse the costs, admitting the trip did not “pass the pub test.”

Premier Calls It a ‘Massive Error’

Minns strongly criticised the ministers’ actions but stopped short of sacking them.

“I want to make it clear that that trip should not have taken place,” he said. “This was a massive error of judgment on behalf of those two ministers.”

He added that he had spoken to them both and made it clear that he considered their actions a serious mistake.

“It gives the government a bad reputation, and I think many people in the community would be very, very unhappy with the actions of my government,” he said.

“We have to be clear about the fact that despite this being part of the rules, it was clearly unacceptable, and I’m not going to defend the indefensible.”

Opposition Demands Resignations

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called for both ministers to step down, arguing their conduct showed “utter contempt” for taxpayers.

“Now that they’ve been caught, Minister Haylen said she’ll ‘pay it back’—that’s not accountability, that’s an admission of guilt. And worse, they forced a government driver into a gruelling 13-hour shift,” he said.

Acting Shadow Transport Minister Damien Tudehope accused Haylen and Jackson of failing in their responsibilities.

“They didn’t just rort the system—they endangered a government worker. A 13-hour drive is reckless and unacceptable.”

Tudehope also noted the poor optics of the controversy, saying, “Public transport has been in chaos—but the Transport Minister refuses to take a train or bus. The mental health system is in freefall—but the mental health minister is too busy enjoying free rides.”

Haylen Admits Mistake

On Feb. 2, Haylen acknowledged her mistake and apologised.

“While that travel was within the rules, it doesn’t pass the pub test, and I own that,” she said. “I made a mistake. I stick my hand up and say I made the wrong decision, and I apologise.”

She added, “I appreciate that people have high expectations of their public representatives, and in this instance, I failed that test.”

The controversy has reignited debate over ministerial entitlements, with Minns now facing pressure to tighten the rules and ensure taxpayer-funded resources are used appropriately.