Jo Haylen has resigned as NSW Transport Minister following revelations she had used taxpayer-funded cars for private purposes.
It was reported over the weekend that Haylen had used a chauffeur to drive her and some friends to a winery lunch on the Australia Day weekend. It was a 446km round trip and 13 hours for the driver.
On Monday, it was revealed that Haylen had also used a ministerial car to take herself and her children from Caves Beach, 100km north of Sydney, to the city for weekend sport.
The revelations have been damaging for the Minns government, with Haylen admitting using the ministerial car for the winery lunch did not “pass the pub test”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the private use of taxpayer-funded drivers was “unacceptable”.
“I’ve let the public down and I’m very sorry about that,” Haylen said on Tuesday at a press conference to announce her resignation.
Haylen also said she used a minsterial car on a trip to the Hunter Valley with her husband in 2024.
“I was working on that day, but I acknowledge that the use of my personal driver was an error of judgement by me,” Haylen said.
“My mistakes are now causing my government damage. Politics is tough. Expectations are very high. I know that.”
At the press conference, Haylen apologised for her actions, while also clarifying she did not break any official rules.
“I did not break the rules, but I acknowledge that that’s not the only test here,” she said.
“I’ve let the public down, and I’m very sorry for that.”