Minister Jo Haylen uses taxpayer-funded van and driver for Oz weekend lunch trip

Transport Minister Jo Haylen summoned a ministerial driver on a 446km round trip to chauffer her and friends on a personal Australia Day weekend outing. See our map of her trip.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen summoned a ministerial ­driver on a 446km round trip to bring a luxury people mover to chauffer her and friends on a personal Australia Day weekend outing from her Caves Beach holiday home.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Ms Haylen had been staying at her holiday house with Housing Minister Rose Jackson when the taxpayer-funded van and driver was summoned from Sydney for the January 25 ­outing.

Ms Jackson was not party to calling the ministerial vehicle or arranging the logistics, but she joined the ride.

While rules governing ministerial drivers and vehicles allow for both public and private use, many of the drivers are privately outraged on behalf of their colleague, who worked a 13-hour day on the trip.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen says her use of a ministerial driver and car was within the rules, but acknowledges it does not pass the “pub test” Picture: John Appleyard

When questioned by The Sunday Telegraph Ms Haylen conceded the trip didn’t “pass the pub test” and immediately offered to repay the cost.

A leaked copy of the ministerial driver log book obtained by The Sunday Telegraph shows a Kia Carnival people mover van was taken out by a ministerial driver at 8am.

Depending on the model, Kia Carnivals can fit between six to eight adults, with some able to accommodate 10.

The purpose of the vehicle is stated as “M. Jo Haylen” with the start of the trip recorded as Rockdale, where it is believed the driver lives. The log book shows the vehicle returned to Rockdale almost 13 hours later at 8.50pm after clocking 446km.

The distance from Sydney to Caves Beach is about 150km, meaning 300km of the recorded 446km was the ­driver taking the vehicle to Ms Haylen and back.

The logbook does not indicate how the remaining 146km was accrued.

Ms Haylen would not reveal where exactly she travelled in the van, or whether it was to a winery, beyond declaring it had been a “private event”.

Situated in the Lake Macquarie area, Caves Beach is ­located around 70km from the start of the Hunter Valley region, Cessnock and Lochinvar.

Ms Haylen would not ­respond to questions as to whether she already had ­access to a vehicle up the coast, nor why she needed a driver and a Kia Carnival ­people mover for the day.

Ms Haylen’s driver, who logged the trip, also declined to comment.

The ministerial car log book showing a Kia Carnival was taken out on January 25 for Ms Haylen for a 446km round trip.

In a statement to The Sunday Telegraph, Ms Haylen said she had attended a ­“private event” on the day.

She also noted that the guidelines for ministerial drivers and cars stated that they could be used for both official and private purposes.

“I attended a private event on January 25,” she said.

“Cars and drivers may be used for official and private purposes as is stated within the official guidelines.

“I recognise, however, that this does not pass the pub test, and as such I have made ­arrangements to repay the money to the Premier’s Department.”

A source observed Ms Jackson and Ms Haylen appear to be having a tense discussion at the cricket on Friday shortly after The Sunday Telegraph sent the Transport Minister’s office questions about the trip.

NSW Nationals leader ­Dugald Saunders said while he welcomed ministers visiting regional areas, it should not be at the expense of the taxpayer.

“I’ll be interested to see how they work out the cost of the trip and who that money is ­repaid to,” he said.

“The Premier (Chris Minns) needs to take strong action here to make sure this loophole isn’t exploited again.”

Originally published as Minister Jo Haylen uses taxpayer-funded van and driver for Oz weekend lunch trip