Labor Leader Bryan Green today called on Premier Will Hodgman to clean up the mess involving taxpayers footing the bill for Government Ministers using luxury taxis.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said further revelations today that Liberal Ministers have been abusing the system increased pressure on Mr Hodgman to act.
“Mr Hodgman needs to admit that his deeply flawed policy of requiring Cabinet members to use luxury taxis – created when he sacked drivers – is at best confusing and is, in fact, in tatters,” Mr Green said.
Mr Green told Parliament that State Growth Minister Matthew Groom spent $152 on a luxury taxi for an eight minute fare he never took but taxpayers still paid for.
“Mr Groom booked a taxi to take him from Sandy Bay to the Botanic Gardens and although he cancelled the trip via text message, taxpayers still had to foot the bill,” Mr Green said.
“Michael Ferguson has set a precedent by belatedly repaying his four-month old $776 taxi fare and Matthew Groom should now do the same.
“Mr Ferguson has admitted he got it wrong so if it’s good enough for him to pay the money back, it should be good enough for Mr Groom.
“Will Hodgman is obviously embarrassed by the conduct of his Ministers and dodged questions on the issue in Parliament today.
“Mr Hodgman must rule out Government members using luxury taxis in the future.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
