New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the government is overhauling rules around the use of ministerial drivers amid the ongoing scandal surrounding Transport Minister Jo Haylen.Haylen has been under fire over revelations she used a ministerial driver to attend a private lunch at Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley.She has said she will pay back the bill.Claims of other trips Haylen took with ministerial drivers have also emerged, including ones that involved dropping her son off at weekend sport, and to a home in the Blue Mountains.Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB this morning, Minns said while Haylen's conduct had been "indefensible", he confirmed he had spoken to her about the new claims.Minns said Haylen confirmed both incidents had taken place, but within a work context – after dropping her child off, she went about her ministerial duties.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the government is changing the rules around ministerial drivers. (Rhett Wyman)Likewise, the Blue Mountains trip was to her chief of staff's home."Most of the big portfolios work massive hours. Ultimately I do expect senior ministers to work on weekends," Minns said.However, he said the revelations were "very damaging" and a "black eye" for the government.Social media giant began with one simple – and dubious – questionView Gallery"Ultimately, we should have changed the rules in relation to ministerial drivers as soon as we were elected," Minns said."We are changing the rules in NSW."Although the premier has refused to stand Haylen down as transport minister, saying the portfolio needs continuity, he told Fordham any other revelations of ministerial drivers used for private purposes would "weigh very heavily" on him.He said it was particularly important for members of a Labor government to treat workers with "dignity and respect"."I think the view from the public is that this is a shocker," he said.
