Jo Haylen’s staffer called Josh Murray the day before he got top transport job

Embattled Minister Jo Haylen’s chief of staff personally rang Josh Murray the day before he was formally told that he had got the job of Transport secretary.

Embattled Minister Jo Haylen’s chief of staff personally rang Josh Murray the day before he was formally told that he had got the job of Transport secretary.

But the pair insist they just spoke about what Mr Murray’s potential “notice period” would be in the event that he was successful in his application to run the Transport department.

The date on which Mr Murray was told he got the job has become the latest focus of the Coalition’s probe into his appointment, after the Transport for NSW boss told a parliamentary inquiry he first found out he had been appointed on July 11.

“I did not know that I had this position until (acting Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary) Peter Duncan emailed me on the eleventh — let me just check that — on 11 July. That was the time that I knew,” Mr Murray told the inquiry.

However, documents released to parliament revealed that Mr Murray and Ms Haylen’s chief of staff Scott Gartrell spoke a day earlier, on July 10.

Jo Haylen’s chief of staff Scott Gartrell sent the job advertisement to Mr Murray before he applied. Picture: John Appleyard

According to text messages tabled to parliament, Mr Gartrell spoke to Mr Murray about the top transport job before Mr Murray’s appointment was made official.

“I checked with Josh and he won’t speak with his UK people until tomorrow night, given his need to get the email from you and then time differences,” Mr Gartrell texted acting public service boss Mr Duncan.

“So, that probably means you can’t speak with the other two candidates until Wednesday morning. Jo (Haylen) would therefore like to take another day and jointly announce the two appointments on Thursday morning,” Mr Gartrell said.

NSW Transport Secretary Josh Murray was the second-ranked candidate as determined by an independent evaluation panel. Picture: John Appleyard

Mr Murray was working for construction giant Laing O’Rourke at the time. Ms Haylen’s office insisted the conversation only related to how long Mr Murray would need to leave his previous job if he was successful.

The Coalition claimed Mr Murray’s evidence about when he was told he got the job was misleading and raises more questions.

“The amount of inconsistencies in the government’s narrative that continue to emerge demonstrates there are further questions to answer,” Opposition Roads spokesman Natalie Ward said.

Mr Gartrell and Mr Murray rejected those claims.

Jo Haylen (left) and Josh Murray (right) at a wedding in Byron Bay in 2016.

“On July 10 I met with Mr Duncan about my potential notice period should I be successful. Mr Gartrell also called me asking that same question,” Mr Murray told The Daily Telegraph.

“At that time I had already been informed I was one of two candidates being considered. Mr Duncan said he was finalising his decision and would contact me further on Tuesday 11th,” he said.

“I then received an email offer at around 5.30pm on the Tuesday.”

A parliamentary inquiry last week heard that Mr Murray and Mr Gartrell have known each other for more than a decade.

Mr Murray has also known Ms Haylen for years: The Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that they were sitting on the same table at the wedding of one of Premier Chris Minns’ best mates.

A number of key witnesses were unable to attend Thursday’s hearing into Mr Murray’s appointment. The inquiry is set to hold another hearing on November 17.