BY IAN CROUCH
The political career of state member for Newcastle Tim Crackanthorp is on the line after he was sensationally dumped as a minister over a failure to disclose potential conflicts of interest.
Premier Chris Minns sacked him from his portfolios for allegedly failing to declare a number of properties his wife and in-laws own, including his father-in-law, who is a property developer.
The number of commercial properties they own is significant and the Premier is concerned this could impact decisions in which Tim Crackanthorp could be involved in as Minister for the Hunter.
Chris Minns says the failure to properly declare these interests is a serious breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.
The Premier has referred the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Chris Minns told reporters Mr Crackanthorp's membership of the Labor Party will come into question if the commission decides to act.
"If they open an inquiry and regard it as serious enough to launch an investigation, then no, he cannot stay in the NSW Labor Party," he said.
Tim Crackanthorp addressed the parliamentary chamber on Wednesday night, telling members he did declare a number of those investments, but not all of them...and he failed to update them or declare when they became a conflict of interest.
He said he made the Premier's Office aware of the breach and maintains it was an oversight on his part.
"In recent days, I again notified the Premier's Office that I have now spoken to both my in-laws and my sibling's in-laws to assemble a full list of each of their interests and I've provided those to the Premier's Office. I appreciate and firmly believe that ministers must be held to the highest standards and would like to note that this oversight was identified due to my own self-reporting," he said.
Swansea Mp, Yasmin Cately will now be Minister for the Hunter and Deputy Premier, Pru Carr will take over the Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education portfolios.
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| State Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp has been stood down from his ministerial portfolios |
