Premier says NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen 'paid high price' over her use of taxpayer-funded driver as she steps down

New South Wales Transport Minister Jo Haylen has resigned for using taxpayer-funded drivers for private events, with the Premier saying she has "paid a heavy price." Haylen had previously been under controversy for being exposed to using a ministerial driver to attend a private lunch at Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley on January 25.

Haylen apologized today and announced her resignation as Minister for Transport. She stated: "As I said on Sunday, I have made some mistakes, and to err is human. I have not breached the rules, but I acknowledge that is not the only measure. I have let the public down, and I am deeply sorry for that. We were elected to do better than the previous government. This morning, I have informed the Premier that I will be resigning as Minister for Transport."

Earlier this week, details emerged that Haylen had used her ministerial driver to travel from Sydney to her holiday home in Caves Beach, a journey of 446 kilometers. The driver also transported her and Housing Minister Rose Jackson, along with their husbands and two friends, to Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley for a private lunch the day before Australia Day. The driver waited for them to dine for three hours before driving them back to Caves Beach, and then returned to Sydney more than 13 hours later. Haylen stated she would pay the $750 cost of the trip.

Since the initial exposure of the winery trip, further allegations of Haylen's use of drivers have surfaced, including using a driver to take her children to Saturday sports activities. She admitted today that she had also used her driver for a second trip to the Hunter Valley, but under different circumstances. Haylen said: "I did take a trip to the Hunter Valley with my husband last year, and the circumstances were different from January 25, when I was working that day. I do want to acknowledge that it was an error of judgment to use my private driver. My mistake is now damaging my government." Haylen will continue to serve as the Member for Summer Hill.

Premier Chris Minns earlier called Haylen's behavior "unacceptable" but said he would not sack her as Minister for Transport. He later issued a statement outlining the resignation and policy changes regarding the use of ministerial drivers. He said: "This morning, Minister Haylen advised me of her intention to resign as Minister for Transport, and I have accepted her resignation. While this was clearly an error of judgment, there was also too much grey area between private use and public use. Jo has paid a heavy price for this. I want to thank Jo for her contribution to the people of New South Wales. The best way to fix this is to change the rules, and that is what I have done today... All ministers must abide by the policy, which will take effect immediately."

These changes mean that ministerial drivers can now only be used for official or private purposes "if that use is incidental to the Minister performing their official duties." Haylen was appointed Minister for Transport after Labor won the March 2023 election. The recent controversy is not the first time Haylen has faced criticism. In August 2023, it was reported that Haylen had selected former Labor staffer Josh Murray as her chief of staff after her office intervened to add Murray to the candidate list. Documents disclosed last year showed that Haylen passed over Benedict Collen, a senior transport executive deemed "highly suitable" for the role, in favor of Murray.