NSW transport minister grilled over Labor operative’s appointment to apolitical job

Public servants' concerns over Kieren Ash's appointment not conveyed to me at the time', Jo Haylen tells budget estimates hearing

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The New South Wales transport minister, Jo Haylen, insists no one told her that bureaucrats in her department were concerned a former Labor campaign manager and one-time candidate employed in her office was undertaking banned political work.

Haylen on Tuesday faced repeated questions at her first budget estimates hearing as a minister about the scandal surrounding Kieren Ash, and when she discovered he may have breached the remit of what was supposed to be a politically neutral position.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup