Jo Haylen, the Transport Minister of the Australian state of New South Wales, ordered her driver to use her official car and went to a dinner 446 kilometers away. The resignation of the minister, who kept the car busy for 13 hours for personal business, is on the agenda. Apologizing by saying, “I made the wrong decision,” Minister Haylen announced that this journey cost the state $750.
Jo Haylen, the Transport Minister of the Australian state of New South Wales, apologized for ordering her driver to use her official car and going to a dinner 446 kilometers away. “I MADE THE Wrong DECISION” Haylen, who went on a long journey to attend a dinner with her friends on the Australia Day weekend, celebrated every year on January 26, kept the official vehicle busy for 13 hours. Responding to the opposition expecting her to resign, Haylen said, “I made the wrong decision,” and publicly admitted that she had done wrong even though she complied with the law. However, she said that she would not resign as the opposition wanted and that no one is perfect.
IT COST $750 It was reported that the journey cost the state $750, and Haylen announced that she would cover this amount herself. On the other hand, Haylen’s journey, which was recorded as a “business trip”, drew a great public reaction even though it was in accordance with the legal framework of New South Wales laws, which state that ministry vehicles and drivers can be used for private business.
“IF IT’S NOT WITHDRAWN, IT SHOULD BE TAKEN” State Premier Chris Minns described Haylen’s behavior as “unacceptable” and announced that work had been initiated to change the relevant laws. In addition, opposition leader Mark Speakman demanded that Haylen be removed from office if he did not withdraw. Speakman also emphasized that Housing Minister Rose Jackson accompanied him on this journey and said that spending taxes in this way was disrespectful to citizens.
