The New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has given an emotional resignation speech in which she said that she could not continue as Premier pending an ongoing Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation into her.
Berejiklian will step aside as soon as the ruling Liberal Party can elect a new leader. She will also be resigning from the NSW Parliament.
ICAC will release a statement today confirming they are investigating the relationship Berejiklian had with the member for Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire.
Berejiklian and Maguire had reportedly been in an ongoing relationship for five years, during which time it was alleged that Maguire used his position for financial gain.
Last October, ICAC was looking into what Berejiklian knew about Maguire’s property dealings that were achieved through connections and resources gained through parliamentary trust. They will today announce that they are formally investigating that relationship.
Maguire stepped down in disgrace from parliament in 2018.
“As Premier I cannot just step aside,” Berejiklian said, before confirming that she would be resigning from both her Premier and ministerial duties.
“I’ve had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, one I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect I have are the people of New South Wales and the high regard with which I have the office of Premier.”
“I want to be clear, and all the decisions I have made as Minister or Premier of New South Wales, my first consideration has always been the well-being and welfare of the people of this state. I state categorically I have always acted with the highest level of integrity. History will demonstrate I have executed my duties again with the highest level of integrity for the benefit the people of New South Wales for who I have had the privilege to serve”.
A clearly upset Berejiklian gave the statement in a surprise press conference at 1pm on Friday, October 1 and declined to take questions.
She stated that the timing of her resignation was not ideal, given she is continuing to streer the state out of the COVID outbreak that has seen much of NSW locked down since July.
“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”.
She has served as the Premier for NSW since 2017.
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