Head may roll over rail network shutdown, says Premier

Dominic Perrotet says it is a possibility that a public servant will lose their job over a decision to shut down the train network in Sydney on Monday.

Central station on Monday after the rail network was shut down. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says it remains a possibility that a public servant will lose their job over a decision to shut down the train network in Sydney on Monday, with the outcome dependent on an ­ongoing internal investigation into the affair.

Mr Perrottet told reporters on Wednesday that he maintained confidence in his Transport Minister David Elliott, after reviewing a chain of correspondence leading up to the consequential decision between his department and staff members in his office.

The decision to shut down the network was taken in response to planned industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, which officials ruled would post an “unacceptable risk to customers”.

Mr Elliott has maintained he was not informed of the shutdown prior to going to bed for the evening, and that he woke up several hours later to discover the decision had been made without his knowledge.

On Wednesday, he told parliament his departmental officials had an obligation to notify his office of any “significant developments in activities” and that they may have breached legal requirements by making their decision.

In recollecting the events of the evening, he said he was consistently told by officials to expect ­significant disruptions on the network the following morning, but not a full-scale shutdown of metropolitan train lines.

“What is clear is that the communication between the department and my office was not sufficiently precise,” he said.

“Transport considered it had discharged those obligations; however, my office remained of the view until approximately 1.30am that there would be a significant disruption to services but not a total network shutdown.”

Earlier on Wednesday Mr Perrottet met with Mr Elliott and Transport Secretary Rob Sharp, directing that, in future, any significant developments within the department must be the subject of “a written briefing and written endorsement”.

Mr Elliott told parliament that he agreed to those instructions and said they would “ensure that there are no further incidents of this nature in the future”.

The Australian revealed on Wednesday that the Department of Premier and Cabinet had received legal advice stating that departmental officials were required to seek the permission of the Transport Minister before proceeding with the shutdown, raising doubt over the move’s legality.

Responding to queries about this legal advice, Mr Perrottet told reporters his internal investigation would continue to examine the roles played by key officials at the centre of the decision, and he did not rule out firing someone based on the outcome.

“There’s a breakdown in process here,” Mr Perrottet said. “The technical legal issues are complex and I need to continue to get advice. I’ve sought advice and I’m working through it.”

Despite saying Mr Elliott retained his confidence, Mr Perrottet reprimanded him for saying, hypothetically, he may not have answered a call in relation to the shutdown because it would have been made while he was asleep.

“The minister will reflect on that and realise all ministers are available 24/7, that’s my expectation as Premier,” Mr Perrottet said, but then added: “The point is that there was no call made.”