- Gladys Berejiklian is resigning from her role as NSW Premier and as a member of NSW Parliament, after a corruption inquiry was launched into her conduct
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption is looking into Ms Berejiklian’s conduct between 2012 and 2018
- The inquiry relates to her personal relationship with Liberal MP Darryl Maguire, who is subject to his own corruption investigation
- The former Premier says she had to resign in full from her roles as the ICAC inquiry would drag on too long for her to stand aside temporarily
- Ms Berejiklian’s replacement hasn’t been decided, with the NSW Liberal Party set to meet shortly and decide on its new leader
Gladys Berejiklian is resigning from her role as NSW Premier after a corruption inquiry was launched into her conduct.
Ms Berejiklian announced she would stand down from her leadership role on Friday afternoon, also confirming she would quit Parliament.
The decision comes after the Independent Commission Against Corruption confirmed it was looking into Ms Berejiklian’s conduct between 2012 and 2018.
ICAC will investigate whether she breached public trust due to a conflict of interest, which relates to her personal relationship with Liberal MP Darryl Maguire.
The inquiry will hold its first hearing on October 18, but Ms Berejiklian said it wasn’t tenable for her to stand down until the matter was resolved.
“I have made it clear on numerous occasions that if any of my ministers were the subject of allegations being investigated by an integrity agency or law enforcement, then he or she should stand aside during the course of the investigation until their name was cleared,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“However standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of NSW.
“I cannot predict how long it will take the ICAC to complete this investigation, let alone deliver a report in circumstances where I was first called to give evidence in a public hearing nearly 12 months ago.
“Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign from the office of premier, my resignation will take effect as soon as the NSW Liberal party can elect a new parliamentary leader.”
Ms Berejiklian finished off her resignation speech by stating she had always acted “with the highest level of integrity” and apologising to NSW residents for leaving them during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I have absolutely no regrets during my time in public life,” she said.
“My only regret, will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of NSW transition to living freely with COVID. “