Paul Toole elected as Deputy Premier of NSW

BY JARROD MELMETH

Bathurst MP Paul Toole has been elected NSW Deputy Premier and leader of the state's National Party.

He defeated Oxley MP Melinda Pavey 15 votes to 3 at a party room meeting on Wednesday morning.

Upper House MLC Bronnie Taylor was elected as the Deputy Leader of the party unopposed. 

It follows the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian on Friday over an upcoming investigation from the Independent Commission Against Corruption into her conduct in allocating grants, including to former disgraced Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

On Tuesday, former Treasurer Dominic Perrottet was elected as the 46th Premier of NSW, defeating Planning Minister Rob Stokes 39 to 5 votes. Tourism Minister Stuart Ayers was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party unopposed. 

Pictured: NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole
Image: Narooma News

Former Hunter Minister Calls It Quits

BY IAN CROUCH

Former Minister for the Hunter, Mike Gallacher has announced he's resigning from the state Legislative Council after 21 years in parliament.

The former police officer served in the Hunter portfolio between 2011 and 2013 and was the state's police minister when he was forced to resign in 2014 after he was implicated in the political donations scandal which sparked an ICAC investigation.

He's since sat on the crossbench, but has now decided to call it quits, handing his notice directly to NSW governor David Hurley instead of the Premier.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged his many years of service to the Liberal Party and the NSW parliament.

Mike Gallacher

Operation Spicer: Former Charlestown MP Referred To Director Of Public Prosecutions

BY IAN CROUCH

 Former Charlestown MP, Andrew Cornwell could be prosecuted following the release of the ICAC report into illegal political donations.

The corruption watchdog has recommended Mr Cornwell and his wife Samantha Brookes face criminal charges for giving false or misleading evidence.

The ICAC investigation found Andrew Cornwell, and former Member for Newcastle, Tim Owen acted with the intention of evading political donation laws.

The Operation Spicer report also noted a large portion of the $700,000 donated to the state Liberal Party's 2011 election campaign was illegally gifted by property developers.

Former Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell and Wife Samantha Brookes Leave ICAC Hearing In August 2014. Picture smh.com.au