Gladys Berejiklian has resigned as Premier of NSW.
It comes after the Independent Commission Against Corruption advised Ms Berejiklian they would be announcing an investigation into her conduct in allocating grants, including to former disgraced Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
The Commission is probing whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust when she awarded the grants and will hold hearings later this month to investigate whether there was a conflict between her public duties and private interests when she was in a relationship with the former Wagga Wagga MP.
Ms Berejiklian has announced she will be leaving the Parliament all together and a by-election will be held for her seat of Willoughby.
"In order to allow the new leader and government a fresh start, I will also resign from the New South Wales Parliament once I have consulted the electoral commission on appropriate timing for a by-election given the COVID restrictions.
"My resignation as Premier could not happen at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the history of NSW.
"That is the ICAC’s prerogative. Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do, I love my job, and serving the community, but I have been given no option following the statement issued.
"To continue as Premier would disrupt the State Government during a time when our entire attention should be focused on the challenges confronting New South Wales. I do not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government during this pandemic, which is the well-being of our citizens," Ms Berejiklian said.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes has confirmed he will running for Premier. Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have been touted as other possible candidates.
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| Gladys Berejiklian announcing her resignation on Friday afternoon. Image: Dominic Lorrimer |
