Josh Murray was appointed as Transport Secretary before crucial checks were completed
Crucial background checks on Transport Secretary Josh Murray were not completed until more than a week after the departmental boss signed his contract, it can be revealed.
NSW
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Crucial background checks on Transport Secretary Josh Murray were not completed until more than a week after the departmental boss signed his contract.
Documents tabled to parliament reveal that bureaucrats scrambled to complete the “requisite pre-employment checks” after Mr Murray had already been appointed.
The oversight meant that Mr Murray signed his contract before a criminal records check was completed, and before he declared his private interests.
In emails tabled to parliament, bureaucrats blamed headhunting firm NGS Global for not doing the work during the recruitment process.
Mr Murray’s contract was signed on July 13.
“I’ve been advised that the firm that conducted the Transport Secretary recruitment did not undertake the requisite pre-employment checks. To that end, we will conduct them in Transport to ensure there are no hiccups with your onboarding,” an HR bureaucrat emailed Mr Murray on July 24.
When the pre-employment checks were completed, Mr Murray disclosed a number of private investments, and declared that he was the son-in-law of former Labor Minister Brian Langton. He also listed his wife’s work as a former staffer and lobbyist.
Mr Murray did not disclose $1450 worth of donations he and his wife made to the Labor Party before the election on his Declaration of Private Interests; he was not required to do so.
The Coalition plans to haul Mr Murray back before a parliamentary probe examining his appointment, when the inquiry holds a further hearing in November.
Liberals also want to call unsuccessful applicant Benedicte Colin and Public Service Commissioner Kathrina Lo.
The committee is also set to again invite Transport Minister Jo Haylen to attend, after she refused to appear last week.
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