NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will be resigning after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) confirmed it will hold a public inquiry into a potential breach of public trust. She called the decision “extremely difficult” and said it could not occur at a worse time as the state juggles a daunting Delta outbreak with reopening from lockdown.
“Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and is something I do not want to do. I love my job and I love serving the community,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I have been given no option following the statement that has been issued today.”
The anti-corruption watchdog announced earlier on Friday it was investigating whether Ms Berejiklian was in a position of conflict between her public duties and private relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire.
This could not come at a bad moment. Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns as COVID-19 cases grow across the state; Victoria records 1143 new cases, three deaths. Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says outgoing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian “has made the right decision … on a difficult day” while calling upon Prime Minister Scott Morrison to establish a national anti-corruption body.
The Labor leader criticised Mr Morrison for announcing a cabinet reshuffle, provoked by the resignation of former Attorney-General and Minister for Industry Christian Porter, minutes before Ms Berejiklian announced her resignation due to an anti-corruption investigation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed Ms Berejiklian’s resignation at a press conference in Canberra where he announced the commencement of international travel next month.
Ms Berejiklian, who appeared close to tears at times, questioned the timing of ICAC’s decision during the state’s “most challenging time in the state’s history”.
“That is ICAC’s prerogative,” she said. She will also quit NSW parliament. She will do so once a by-election can be held for her seat.
Berejiklian reveals ‘only regret’ from her tenure is not being able to finish the state’s transition to a Covid normal life.
“Finally, thank you again for giving me the honour of being your Premier. Thank you very much,” she finished.
Ms Berejiklian is not the first Liberal premier to resign over an ICAC inquiry. Barry O’Farrell famously stepped down in 2014 after failing to declare a $3,000 bottle of wine he had received.
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On the Victorian decision to mandate vaccines for authorised workers, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it continued to be federal policy to only have mandates in exceptional circumstances.
“My policy has always been that this is not a compulsory vaccination program,” he said.
