NSW Premier Chris Minns praises Jo Haylen, leaves door open for cabinet return

She quit cabinet in disgrace over the ‘Van Haylen’ driver scandal less than three months ago. But NSW Premier Chris Minns has left the door open for Jo Haylen’s return.

Jo Haylen. left, Chris Minns, right, and how we covered the 'Van Haylen' scandal. Pictures: News Corp

Chris Minns has left the door open to Jo Haylen returning to cabinet despite her quitting in disgrace over the “Van Haylen” driver scandal less than three months ago.

Standing side-by-side for the first time since the saga, Mr Minns declared he was a “big fan of Jo’s” and gave her a glowing report for her work since she resigned as transport minister.

The praise came after the embattled former minister joined the premier in Summer Hill, where she remains the local MP, to announce a construction update on the Greenway project.

Mr Minns said he “definitely wouldn’t rule out” bringing Ms Haylen back to the cabinet as the dust settles from her 446km taxpayer-funded chauffeur trips to a winery lunch – among other outings.

“I want to be clear about that (possible return), I said that at the time (of her resignation),” he said.

Premier Chris Minns praised his former transport minister. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“But it’s obviously been a tough period for Jo, both myself and my colleagues have been really impressed with the way that she’s thrown herself back into her role as the member for Summer Hill.

“She’s got an optimism and a positivity which is really important in a member of parliament and I’m a big fan of Jo’s.

“I don’t mind saying so, I think it’s important that people know that they’ve got a good member here, someone that really cares about their community, and she’s indefatigable.

“She’s not going to crawl up in a ball, she gets straight back into the job. There’s no days off for Jo, and that’s a fantastic trait.”

The compliments come more than three months after Ms Haylen announced she would resign from her ministerial position and join Labor’s backbench over the scandal on February 4.

Minister Jo Haylen quit after The Sunday Telegraph revealed she had used taxpayer funded ministerial drivers to chauffeur her to multiple private events including winery trips, private country lunches and weekend kids sports.

At the time, Ms Haylen gave a public short address where she admitted to “(letting) the public down”.

“My mistakes are now causing the government damage. I did not break the rules but I acknowledge that is not the only test here,” she said.

But Mr Minns may have put the mistakes behind him, although he did say when Ms Haylen could be called back up to cabinet.

Originally published as NSW Premier Chris Minns praises Jo Haylen, leaves door open for cabinet return