Surprise! NSW Housing minister was in the dark about ‘boozy’ Australia Day trip to celebrate her 40th

More details about embattled NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson’s taxpayer-funded winery tour in the Hunter Valley have emerged.

Embattled NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson’s taxpayer-funded winery tour in the Hunter Valley over the Australia Day long weekend was a “surprise birthday party” to mark her 40th birthday.

Government sources have confirmed to news.com.au that she had no idea of the location or the destination of the “boozy” event.

It has now emerged it involved a “major error” when her friend and colleague Jo Haylen organised a pick up in a government vehicle, an eight-seater Kia Carnival, which ventured on a 466km round trip from Sydney at a cost of $750.

As fresh details emerge over previous private trips booked by her friend and colleague Ms Haylen, the circumstances of Ms Jackson’s involvement have become clear.

News.com.au has confirmed that the booking was made without Ms Jackson or her office’s knowledge.

“Look, it wasn’t a hostage situation,” a Labor source said.

“She got into the car. But she had no idea that the government car had been booked at all.”

Government sources have confirmed to news.com.au that she had no idea of the location or the destination of the ‘boozy’ event. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Asked specifically about Ms Jackson’s role, he said it was a “lapse of judgement” similar to that of Ms Haylen.

“Probably not to the same extent, but yeah, look, I mean, when you’re in a cabinet, it is collective responsibility,” Mr Minns said.

“We are all responsible for each other’s decisions. And in that specific example, obviously one or the other of them should have said we shouldn’t do this.”

Ms Haylen, who organised the trip, has publicly apologised and admitted she was fully responsible for repaying the $750.

It is not strictly a breach of the rules allowing cars to be booked for personal reasons, but generally doesn’t “pass the pub test”.

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson and husband Sam Crosby. Picture: Instagram

Ms Jackson has remained silent and has declined to address her role in the scandal over the past 24 hours but it has now emerged the event was a “surprise” birthday party after she returned from a holiday in Japan.

She not only didn’t book the Kia Carnival but didn’t know the destination of the event or the fact that there was going to be a surprise party.

New claims emerge

The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday that Transport Minister Jo Haylen has repeatedly tasked her taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive her between Caves Beach and Sydney to take her children to weekend sports games.

One source familiar with travel arrangements said Ms Haylen had, on “a number of occasions,” tasked a driver with the massive round trip involving around 300 kilometres of driving.

“There’s been a number of occasions where a driver has been tasked to go up to Caves Beach, pick her and her son up, and bring them back to Sydney so that he can play sport on the weekend,” the source told the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Ms Haylen was “unique” in using drivers for long-distance private journeys, and accused her of “taking the piss”.

“I don’t think anyone would think it’s reasonable to have a driver come up from Sydney to Caves Beach to take your child to kids sport,” a source said.

Ms Haylen said she was not going to “provide a running commentary” on her movements.

One source familiar with travel arrangements said Ms Haylen had, on ‘a number of occasions,’ tasked a driver with the massive round trip involving around 300 kilometres of driving. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“Yesterday I made clear that my use of a ministerial driver last weekend was not right. I made the wrong decision. I am paying back the cost,” she said.

“I am not going to provide a running commentary on my movements since becoming a Minister.”

The Premier has vowed to tighten arrangements to ensure drivers are only used “to help the minister in their role”.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has condemned both Ms Haylen and Ms Jackson over their actions.

“This is clearly an abuse of taxpayer money,” he told Sky News.

“Jo Haylen has been presiding over industrial chaos in public transport for nine months now. Rose Jackson’s been presiding over a mental health crisis.

“And at the same time, they think it’s okay to use taxpayer funds for a jolly up in Newcastle or up in the Hunter Valley.”

“Why isn’t (NSW premier Chris Minns) acting here? It’s because he relies on Rose Jackson and Jo Haylen for his support in the Labor caucus.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has slammed the decision but insisted he won’t be sacking any ministers.

“I’m not going to sack the ministers ... This is a major error and a big lapse of judgement,” Mr Minns told reporters.