The New South Wales Health Minister, Ryan Park, is under scrutiny for using a ministerial car and driver for a 456-kilometer journey from Sydney to Jindabyne in August 2024. The trip coincided with the height of the ski season and the final weeks of the Interschools ski races, where Park’s son was a competitor.
The journey, recorded in ministerial car logs, was made on August 29, 2024, and has raised questions about the appropriateness of using government resources for what appears to be a personal trip. The logs were released following an order for papers earlier this April.
Ministerial Car Usage Under Scrutiny
Ryan Park’s trip to the Snowy Mountains was not an isolated incident. Previous travel logs, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, indicate that Park used a ministerial driver for two trips to Thredbo in November and December of the same year. These trips were to meet his family, suggesting a pattern of using official vehicles for personal purposes.
At the time of these trips, the rules allowed ministerial cars to be used for private purposes, a policy that has since been revised. The logs do not specify how Park returned from Jindabyne, but they do show a government car was used in his Keira electorate on August 30, and another for document delivery to his home in Corrimal.
Official Business or Personal Leisure?
Ministerial diaries indicate that Park had two meetings scheduled on August 29 at his office or Parliament House, but no formal events were documented in Jindabyne on August 29 or 30. This lack of official business raises questions about the justification for the trip.
“These trips were in accordance with the rules at the time, and I’ve always followed the relevant guidelines,” Park stated, defending his actions.
However, the minister’s diaries and social media posts do not provide evidence of official duties being conducted in Jindabyne. On August 29, Park issued a press release apologizing for birth trauma highlighted by a parliamentary inquiry, yet no media event was held.
Policy Changes and Political Repercussions
The controversy surrounding Park’s use of a ministerial car is not an isolated case. In February, Jo Haylen resigned as Transport Minister after it was revealed she used her ministerial car for a personal trip to a vineyard, prompting Premier Chris Minns to tighten the rules governing the use of ministerial cars.
“The rules now say that drivers can only be used for official business,” Minns announced, emphasizing the need for stricter guidelines.
The revised policy states that any private use of a driver must be incidental to official duties. This change aims to prevent the misuse of government resources for personal activities.
Implications and Future Considerations
The ongoing scrutiny of ministerial car usage highlights the need for transparency and accountability in government operations. As public officials, ministers are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct, ensuring that taxpayer resources are used appropriately.
While Park maintains that his actions were within the rules at the time, the controversy underscores the importance of clear and enforceable guidelines. As the government continues to refine its policies, the focus remains on preventing similar incidents and restoring public trust.
Looking ahead, the New South Wales government may consider further measures to ensure compliance with the new rules and prevent any potential misuse of official resources. The situation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between public duty and personal life for those in positions of power.
