NSW Minister Steps Down From Cabinet Over Taxpayer-Funded Chauffeur

Former NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen speaks to media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia on Feb. 4, 2025. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

New South Wales Transport Minister Jo Haylen announced her sudden resignation on Feb. 4 after public pressure over her decision to use a taxpayer-funded ministerial car to attend a private lunch.

Haylen admitted she had made mistakes but clarified, “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.”

Haylen will remain an MP but stepped down from her ministerial role.

The controversy began when Haylen used a government vehicle and taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive herself, Housing Minister Rose Jackson, and over 400 kilometres from Sydney to attend a long lunch in the Hunter Valley.

The official logbook revealed that the chauffeur-driven Kia Carnival van left Sydney at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25, stopped at Haylen’s holiday home at Caves Beach, and continued to the Brokenwood winery. They dined for three hours before returning.

The driver worked nearly 13 hours, finishing the shift just before 9 p.m.

Haylen Acknowledges Mistakes but Defends Judgment

In her resignation announcement, Haylen addressed the issue head-on.

“I did take a trip last year with my husband to the Hunter Valley ... 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.”

Haylen also reflected on the personal challenges of balancing her political role with motherhood.

“Politics is difficult. Expectations are high, and I know that from the very minute I was appointed a minister, I have worked my arse off.”

She went on, “You don’t clock out from being a minister. You work every single minute of the day, just like you don’t clock out from being a mum.”

Despite the controversy, she remained proud of her work, particularly in transforming the state’s public transport system.

“When we came to government, we inherited a public transport system that was on its knees. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve managed to make public transport exciting again.”

Premier Minns Reacts to Controversy, Pledges Rule Changes

A day earlier, Premier Chris Minns had condemned Haylen’s actions but opted not to sack her.

He called the trip a “massive error of judgment” and emphasised that such actions were unacceptable.

On Feb. 4, Minns announced changes to allowances for using drivers.

“While private use of ministerial drivers has been permitted under long-standing rules, community expectations and standards rightly do not match these rules,” the premier said in a statement. “The best way to fix this is to change the rules, and that is what I have done today.”

“As such, the vehicle use policy in the Minister’s Office Handbook, will be updated to ban the use of ministerial drivers for exclusively private purposes.

“All ministers must comply with the policy which will take effect immediately.”

Opposition Demanded Immediate Resignations

The opposition seized on the scandal, calling for the immediate resignation of both Haylen and Housing Minister Jackson.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused the ministers of showing “utter contempt” for taxpayers.

“Now that they’ve been caught, Minister Haylen said she’ll ‘pay it back’—that’s not accountability, that’s an admission of guilt,” Speakman said.

Acting Shadow Transport Minister Damien Tudehope also condemned their actions.

“They didn’t just rort the system—they endangered a government worker. A 13-hour drive is reckless and unacceptable.”

Tudehope pointed out the poor optics of the situation, saying, “Public transport has been in chaos—but the transport minister refuses to take a train or bus.”