Following dramatic revelations of the potential rorting of the impartiality of the public service in Transport Minister Jo Haylen’s office, the only option for the Government is to refer the matter to the Independent Public Service Commissioner Kathrina Lo.
While the Opposition welcomes an investigation, it must be conducted independently. The Coalition Government appointed an Independent Public Service Commissioner to deal with matters such as this.
The referral of the matter by the Transport Minister to her hand-picked Secretary Josh Murray is nothing more than an attempt at a cover-up by a Minister who does not think the rules apply to her.
A Head of a Department cannot investigate a Ministerial Office that they report to, that is a blatant conflict of interest.
While the Minister wants this to appear like a department staff member gone rogue, the facts are:
- Senior Transport Executives were aware the Transport Minister’s Chief of Staff would be requesting Mr Ash to join the Office on the same day Minister Haylen was sworn in.
- The Transport Minister’s Office requested Mr Ash specifically, with senior Transport Executives raising concerns regarding his impartiality.
- Mr Ash’s secondment to her Office was extended at the request of the Transport Minister’s Chief of Staff.
- The A/Secretary of Transport for NSW Howard Collins raised concerns with her Chief of Staff regarding Mr Ash’s duties and conduct
- Mr Ash’s Secondment was cut short only a week after initial media inquiries regarding his duties.
This ‘investigation’ is nothing more than an attempt to throw a junior staffer under the bus to protect a Minister.
Does any reasonable person think Josh Murray, the Minister’s handpicked Secretary is really going to find the Minister committed any wrongdoing?
A controversially Labor appointed Secretary is investigating the Minister who got him the job regarding an operative her office requested doing political activities – It doesn’t pass the pub test.
Department Liaison Officers are at the direction and responsibility of the Minister and their Chief of Staff. Whatever credibility the Transport Minister has left, she needs to do the honourable thing and refer the matter to the Public Service Commissioner.