New Zealand Minister Steven Joyce's $1200 Sydney Taxi Ride 'Worth It' Says Bill English

New Zealand’s economic development minister, Steven Joyce, is under scrutiny for using the taxpayers’ money for a taxi ride in Sydney worth over $1,200. The Kiwi minister defended his mode of transportation as “cost-effective” despite using the hired vehicle five times during the day.

According to ministerial expense records released by Department of Internal Affairs, Joyce claimed a $1,248 taxi fare from GM Cabs when he visited Australia in November. A spokesperson for Joyce said the minister was in Sydney during that time to attend the Australian Jobs Fair Series. Joyce reportedly had “engagements throughout the day across the city” including meetings with stakeholders and interviews with media. The spokesperson added that the expense was in accordance with his capacity as Minister of Economic Development.

The spokesperson added that the taxi was hired car organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on behalf of the minister at a rate of $110 per hour. “It’s important to note that the car was not a metered taxi,” remarked the spokesperson.

There was no indication of a hired car service in the website of GM Cabs, whose company offers three different taxi services with drivers. An itinerary for Joyce’s visit to Sydney showed five car transfer entries including to and from the airport, reports Stuff.

The minister was picked up from Sydney International Airport and brought to Sunrise studios for a media interview at 7:55 am. By 8:45 am, Joyce’s office listed another car transfer with instructions to “proceed as directed.”

The minister’s spokesperson said Joyce “went for coffee” at an undisclosed location to do some paperwork during that time. The car was used again two hours later to get to Sydney Town Hall. Other destinations following the town hall visit were ATP Innovations and the airport.

Joyce defended himself and said he was always being careful when using taxpayers’ money while carrying out his duties. He added that using the car was the most cost-effective since he was able to go to achieve more in the shortest possible time.

Ministers had previously used Commonwealth Cars organised by the MFAT through the Australian government but the service was no longer available to New Zealand ministers in early 2014. The cost of the taxi was similar to cost of using a Crown car.

The Taxpayers’ Union has urged Joyce to return the money charged to his ministerial credit card. Jordan Williams, the union’s executive director, said it would have been cheaper if the minister had flown his office intern to Australia to drive a car rental.

New Zealand Minister of Finance Bill English said he was not concerned about the cost and thought it was “well worth it,” reports New Zealand Herald. He believes the Joyce had acted within his duty as minister.

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