Transport for NSW deputy secretary told to go on leave instead of answering budget estimates questions

A transport bigwig has been told to take time off rather than answer MP’s questions as confusion mounts over last week’s Sydney train shutdown.

NSW transport officials have gone dark as questions mount regarding last week‘s Sydney train shutdown.

A bureaucrat at the centre of the controversy has been told by her boss to go on leave for three weeks, surprising opposition MPs who were due to question her during budget estimates on Tuesday.

Transport for NSW deputy secretary for greater Sydney Megan Bourke-O’Neill was due to appear at budget estimates alongside Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward.

The committee holding the hearing was told on Monday night that Ms Bourke-O’Neill would not be attending.

Last week’s train shutdown was estimated to have cost more than $33m. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Transport secretary Rob Sharp told the hearing that he had directed Ms Bourke-O’Neill to take leave but wouldn’t say why.

“I think it's inappropriate to talk about an individual’s leave. She is on leave, executives take leave,” Mr Sharp said.

Committee members had hoped to question the deputy secretary about communications between her and Transport Minister David Elliott’s office in the hours before the Sydney train system was shut down last Monday.

The early-morning shutdown was decided by transport bureaucrats while the minister slept and caused widespread confusion the following morning.

The government has estimated the standstill cost more than $33m.

The wet weather in Sydney prevented a press conference by the Transport Minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

It came after discussions between the government and the rail union broke down.

Treasurer Matt Kean has previously said the government’s decision to halt the trains came in response to “aggressive union tactics”.

“We got to this stage because the union movement would not provide the staffing necessary to run the train system,” he said.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has denied that claim, saying trains could have run safely despite limited industrial action.

The union is in talks with the government over a new enterprise agreement and has made demands about pay, hygiene and a commitment no rail or bus lines will be lost due to future privatisation of services.

Sydney trains are back on regular timetables this week as more workers return to work in offices.

Transport Minister David Elliott cancelled a press conference due to the weather. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Elliott’s office said he had decided to cancel a scheduled press conference in the morning due to the bad weather in Sydney.

It was not suggested the decision to shelve the press conference was related to the train shutdown issue.

Mr Elliott was due to show reporters and photographers a Metro West construction site in Rozelle.

The event was to be part of an announcement that the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium had been awarded a $2.16bn contract to construct a 9km metro tunnel from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead.