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Premier Chris Minns says Jo Haylen's position 'not tenable' after ...

Premier Chris Minns says Jo Haylens position not tenable after
The premier said while the circumstances of a second trip were different, they still did not justify the use of a ministerial driver. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns says outgoing Transport Minister Jo Haylen's position became "not tenable" after it was revealed she used taxpayer-funded drivers for two private trips in the Hunter Valley. 

In his first appearance since Ms Haylen resigned on Tuesday, he said while the circumstances of the second trip were different, they still did not justify the use of a driver. 

"The circumstances were different, there was work that took place mainly over the phone, and on Zoom," he said.

"There was certainly work done on that day but not enough to justify a personal driver. 

"It's a distinction without a difference."

Mr Minns said while no rules were broken, Ms Haylen's use of ministerial drivers "didn't show great judgement", particularly when she kept her driver waiting.

But he said the "big mistake" was not a reflection of who Ms Haylen is professionally.

"She'd treat the King of England and a brand new intern the same way … this is just not a reflection of who she is," he said.

"I just think that has to be part of the story here."

Mr Minns said he would not speculate on who may take Ms Haylen's job or if there would be a broader cabinet reshuffle.

"I will talk to my colleagues and make a decision together," he said.

Roads Minister John Graham will temporarily taking over as transport minister.

Planning Minister Paul Scully told ABC Radio Sydney said it was a "tough portfolio" and that he "looked forward" to working with Mr Graham.

Minns says other ministers used drivers appropriately

Mr Minns said he would not order an audit of ministerial use of drivers to discover other instances of misuse because one would find Ms Haylen operated within the rules. 

However he said he had a discussion with ministers in his cabinet about the appropriate use of ministerial drivers and was confident they had done the right thing.

Mr Minns said ministers do use the drivers for personal matters, he said there were no indications they were used in a similar way to Ms Haylen's trips.

"I should have changed the rules on day one … we've waited two years in, and that was a mistake that I made in terms of ensuring the rules are straightforward," he said.

"But I am confident having changed those rules that we can restore a measure of trust and confidence for taxpayers."

How NSW Premier Chris Minns got caught up in Jo Haylen's political car crash

This week, Jo Haylen stepped aside from her role as transport minister. And while she technically didn't break any rules, she broke the unwritten code: Don't embarrass the premier.

Deputy Premier Prue Carr told ABC Radio Sydney changes to the rules about use of ministerial drivers would "make it clear" they could only be used for business purposes. 

She said the issue with the current rules is that they are open to interpretation. 

"The issue is here is that it relied on individual judgement because technically the rules were really, very broad. And they've obviously been like that for some time," she said. 

"The rules shouldn't have been the way they were, to be honest, because they're open to interpretation too much."

Haylen not asked to repay cost of second Hunter trip

Mr Minns said Ms Haylen had paid a "big personal and professional price" for the mistake and said he would not be asking her to repay the cost of the second Hunter Valley trip. 

"She has paid a big financial, personal and professional penalty for this, not just in terms of career, but in terms of her salary of office," he said. 

When announcing her resignation over her use of taxpayer-funded drivers for private trips, Ms Haylen admitted to a second Hunter Valley visit.

She said the latter trip was a different situation to a trip to a winery on the Australia Day long weekend with Housing Minister Rose Jackson.

It was also revealed she used government drivers to ferry her and her children between her Lake Macquarie holiday house and Sydney for Saturday sport.

The outgoing minister said she dropped off the children on her way to work, according to the premier.

This wasn't Jo Haylen's first scandal, amid taxpayer-funded driver saga

Despite surviving numerous political scandals, outgoing transport minister Jo Haylen was brought undone by her own personal use of taxpayer-funded transport.

Ms Haylen's children also accompanied her in a ministerial car to a property west of the Blue Mountains for lunch, a visit she insisted was "work related", the premier said.

Ms Haylen did not take any questions on the day, instead delivering an emotional statement after days of pressure for her sacking.

"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."

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