Premier refuses to sack Jo Haylen for ‘singular’ Judgement lapse

Premier Chris Minns has doubled down on his criticism of two ministers who used a taxpayer funded van to take them to and from a winery.

Premier Chris Minns has called the decision of both his Transport and Housing ministers to be chauffeured by a taxpayer-funded ministerial driver to a private winery lunch a “massive error of judgement” but has refused to sack either minister.

The decision comes despite Mr Minns describing the backlash it has caused his government as a “black eye”.

Speaking to media on Monday, the Premier said he had been assured by Transport Minister Jo Haylen that this was “a singular” incident that would not happen again.

Premier Chris Minns said he had been assured the incident was a ‘singular’ lapse of judgement. Picture Thomas Lisson

“Having spoken to her over the last couple of days she fully acknowledges that this was a shocker, a major mistake and I believe that when she says she’s not going to do it again, I genuinely do,” he said.

“I think that there has been a singular, a massive but a singular lapse of judgment, I think it was probably absent minded of her – not malicious – that’s why I think it won’t be repeated.”

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed a boozy lunch at Brokenwood winery in the Hunter Valley was at the centre of an expenses controversy after the embattled Transport Minister summoned a taxpayer-funded ministerial driver to chauffeur her and five friends for a private Australia Day get together.

Exterior view of Brokenwood Wines in Pokolbin. Photo: Supplied

Mr Minns said the “real error”, in addition to the misuse of taxpayer funds was also the treatment of the driver.

“A hard working public servant, someone turns up every single day, works hard on behalf of the people of NSW shouldn’t be treated in this manner on a purely personal trip,” he said

“It shouldn’t have taken place. I’ve made that clear, and I believe and expect all my ministerial colleagues to not just abide by the rules as they’re written, but to show good judgment when dealing with the public money.”

Despite saying he had censured both Ministers the Premier refused to sack Ms Haylen, saying he had been assured it would not happen again.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen answers questions about using taxpayer money to travel to a boozy lunch at a Hunter Valley winery. Picture Thomas Lisson

Mr Minns described the pair’s decision to take the driver as a “major error and lapse of judgment” and said he expected the pair to learn from their mistake, but said that the housing and transport portfolios were both complex and needed the Ministers to remain in their roles.

“I believe we need continuity in those jobs … and I need ministers with experience under their belt and who are focused on the job at hand,” Mr Minns said.

“I accept this is a big black eye … I am promising to do better. We are looking at changing the rules, but I have to cop it on the chin, it’s not a good look at all.”

Mr Minns said he had urgently sought advice on changing the rules around the use of ministerial drivers with the view to banning their use for anything that does not assist them in their work.

While Housing Minister Rose Jackson did not book the vehicle she went along for the ride. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

This could mean pick up and drop offs to private parties may no longer be acceptable under potential new guidelines.

“The job of a driver is to help the minister in their role,” he said.

“There may be a point in time for a busy Minister’s life if the kids have dropped off at school on the way to the office with the Minister in the car.

“It must be in the service of the Minister doing their job – if it’s a purely private function and nothing to do with work and doesn’t help them do their job then the answer is no.”

Opposition leader Mark Speakman has also revealed that he sometimes uses the driver he is entitled to as party leader for personal tasks such as picking up his dry cleaning.

Mark Speakman said he had used his personal driver to drop off his dry cleaning. Photographer: Ted Lamb

In response to the Premier’s calls to tighten rules around personal uses for ministerial drivers, Mr Speakman said he was happy for the government to audit their use going back to the former Coalition government but that a test of fairness should be employed.

“The guidelines can be tweaked but you can’t necessarily have something that deals with every situation,” he said.

“I’m not sure that you can pinpoint every exact circumstance where something should or shouldn’t be allowed but a test of fairness and reasonableness would be a pretty good place to start.”

Mr Speakman divulged that he gets assistance from government drivers and a car during standard working hours but not on Sundays, which he sometimes uses for personal errands in line with the rules.

“If a driver is idle and not otherwise doing something then they may have been used for personal expenses. I don’t think to be picked up from a private party, but if I’ve got a driver who is otherwise being paid and I have dry cleaning to pick up then I might send them on an errand like that.”

Despite his own personal uses Mr Speakman said Ms Haylen’s use was “so far from what is acceptable”, saying she had “an entitlement problem” and showed “a lack of respect to the taxpayers”.