Shock resignation rocks NSW government

Jo Haylen has resigned her position over damaging allegations that she repeatedly used her taxpayer-funded government driver for personal trips.

New South Wales Labor frontbencher Jo Haylen has resigned her position as transport minister over the scandal surrounding damaging allegations that she repeatedly used her taxpayer-funded government driver for personal trips.

The scandal, revealed by The Sunday Telegraph’s Linda Silmalis, has dominated politics this week, prompting NSW Premier Chris Minns to publicly criticise her behaviour.

“It’s not an easy statement for me to make, so after it’s over, I’m going to let you all get on with your lives, and I’m not going to take any questions,’’ she said.

“As I said on Sunday, I’ve made some mistakes. People aren’t perfect. I did not break the rules, but I acknowledge that that’s not the only test here. I’ve let the public down, and I’m very sorry for that.

“We were elected to be better than the last government. This morning, I’ve told the Premier that I will resign my position as minister for transport. I will continue to serve this government as the member for Summer Hill, but I want to put on record and to pre-empt the questions you probably want to ask opposite circumstances.

“I was working on that day, but I do want to acknowledge that my use of my personal driver was an error of judgment by me. My mistakes are now causing the government damage. Politics is difficult. Expectations are high. And I know that.”

Jo Haylen today. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NewsWire

‘I take her at her word’: Premier’s awkward situation

Earlier, the NSW Premier said he would “quiz” Ms Haylen about whether she used a government driver on an additional winery visit.

On Nine radio, breakfast host Ben Fordham asked Premier Chris Minns what he would do if Ms Haylen had embarked on “another winery/wine tasting tour last year” using a government driver.

“I don’t know about the circumstances in which you’re presenting them to me,” the Premier replied.

“I checked whether there were other incidents or examples, as did the media. I take her at her word.”

“I think it would be reasonable for me to say … what details have you got?

“And can I quiz her or ask her about it, before I give a definitive answer?”

Mr Fordham said he believed a new revelation may soon come to light.

The Premier said that while he was not aware of any further winery expeditions, it would “weigh heavily” on him if found to be true.

“Of course, I’d be very concerned if there was another example.”

Ms Haylen’s office did not take questions at the press conference and walked out as a reporter shouted, “why did you lie to the premier.”

Earlier developments

Before those latest developments, it emerged that the winery tour booked by Ms Haylen was a “surprise birthday party” to mark her friend Rose Jackson’s 40th birthday.

Government sources confirmed to news.com.au that Ms Jackson had no idea of the location or the destination of the “boozy” event.

It emerged that it involved a “major error” when her friend and colleague organised a pick up in a government vehicle, an eight-seater Kia Carnival, which ventured on a 466km round trip from Sydney at a cost of $750.

As fresh details emerged over previous private trips booked by her friend and colleague Ms Haylen, the circumstances of Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson’s involvement became clear.

News.com.au confirmed that the booking was made without Ms Jackson or her office’s knowledge.

“Look, it wasn’t a hostage situation,” a Labor source said.

“She got into the car. But she had no idea that the government car had been booked at all.”

Government sources have confirmed to news.com.au that she had no idea of the location or the destination of the ‘boozy’ event. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Asked specifically about Ms Jackson’s role, he said it was a “lapse of Judgement” similar to that of Ms Haylen.

“Probably not to the same extent, but yeah, look, I mean, when you’re in a cabinet, it is collective responsibility,” Mr Minns said.

“We are all responsible for each other’s decisions. And in that specific example, obviously one or the other of them should have said we shouldn’t do this.”

Ms Haylen, who organised the trip, has publicly apologised and admitted she was fully responsible for repaying the $750.

It is not strictly a breach of the rules allowing cars to be booked for personal reasons, but generally doesn’t “pass the pub test”.

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson and husband Sam Crosby. Picture: Instagram

Ms Jackson has remained silent and has declined to address her role in the scandal over the past 24 hours but it has now emerged the event was a “surprise” birthday party after she returned from a holiday in Japan.

She not only didn’t book the Kia Carnival but didn’t know the destination of the event or the fact that there was going to be a surprise party.

New claims emerge

The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday that Transport Minister Jo Haylen has repeatedly tasked her taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive her between Caves Beach and Sydney to take her children to weekend sports games.

One source familiar with travel arrangements said Ms Haylen had, on “a number of occasions,” tasked a driver with the massive round trip involving around 300 kilometres of driving.

“There’s been a number of occasions where a driver has been tasked to go up to Caves Beach, pick her and her son up, and bring them back to Sydney so that he can play sport on the weekend,” the source told the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Ms Haylen was “unique” in using drivers for long-distance private journeys, and accused her of “taking the piss”.

“I don’t think anyone would think it’s reasonable to have a driver come up from Sydney to Caves Beach to take your child to kids sport,” a source said.

Ms Haylen said she was not going to “provide a running commentary” on her movements.

One source familiar with travel arrangements said Ms Haylen had, on ‘a number of occasions,’ tasked a driver with the massive round trip involving around 300 kilometres of driving. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“Yesterday I made clear that my use of a ministerial driver last weekend was not right. I made the wrong decision. I am paying back the cost,” she said.

“I am not going to provide a running commentary on my movements since becoming a Minister.”

The Premier has vowed to tighten arrangements to ensure drivers are only used “to help the minister in their role”.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has condemned both Ms Haylen and Ms Jackson over their actions.

“This is clearly an abuse of taxpayer money,” he told Sky News.

“Jo Haylen has been presiding over industrial chaos in public transport for nine months now. Rose Jackson’s been presiding over a mental health crisis.

“And at the same time, they think it’s okay to use taxpayer funds for a jolly up in Newcastle or up in the Hunter Valley.”

“Why isn’t (NSW premier Chris Minns) acting here? It’s because he relies on Rose Jackson and Jo Haylen for his support in the Labor caucus.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has slammed the decision but insisted he won’t be sacking any ministers.

“I’m not going to sack the ministers ... This is a major error and a big lapse of Judgement,” Mr Minns told reporters.

Originally published as Shock resignation rocks NSW government