FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10: Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith was paid $1 when Government purchased her private car, Works Minister Derrick Burgess stated today.

The Education Minister had her Peugeot 206 sprayed dark blue and converted into a GP vehicle instead of Government buying a new one when she returned to Cabinet last month.

Responding to written parliamentary questions from Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin in the House of Assembly this morning, Mr Burgess announced the full cost of the deal which has grabbed media attention over the past few weeks.

“Dame Jennifer graciously agreed to accept a nominal payment of $1 for her vehicle upon it becoming part of the Government fleet,” stated the Minister.

Dame Jennifer has previously said she kept her old car because she feels comfortable driving with a stick shift and wanted to avoid wasting taxpayers’ cash.

Read much more coverage of today's House of Assembly session in tomorrow's edition of The Royal Gazette.