THERE IT IS: Gladys Berejiklian Has Resigned As NSW Premier
The news comes after it was confirmed she was the subject of a corruption inquiry.
Gladys Berejiklian has officially resigned as New South Wales Premier amid an investigation from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). She will also resign from NSW Parliament.
In an announcement on Friday afternoon, Berejiklian confirmed she is resigning from her role, effective as soon as the NSW government can elect a new leader.
“Standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of New South Wales,” she said. “The primary the people of the state need certainty.”
“I cannot tell you how long this investigation will take, 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 New South Wales Liberal Party can elect any parliamentary leader,” she announced.
“In order to allow the new leader and government a fresh start, I will also resign from the New South Wales Parliament once I have consulted the Electoral Commission for an appropriate time for a by-election given the COVID restrictions.
“My resignation could not occur at a worse time but the their conduct but rather to maintain integrity of the public offers that that person holds while investigation is being completed.”
Berejiklian has also stressed that resigning is not something she ever wanted to do.
“Resigning at this time is against every instinct of my well-being and I do not to do it. I love my job and serving the community but I have been given no option following the statement,” she added.
There is no word yet on who will replace Berejiklian as New South Wales Premier, although Treasurer Dom Perrottet is a likely contender.
The news comes after the ICAC announced it would hold a further public inquiry into Operation Keppel on Monday 18 October 2021 to further investigate if Berejiklian’s relationship with Daryl Maguire was a conflict of interest.
The ICAC s also investigating if Maguire engaged in any conduct that breached public trust while in office between 2012 and 2018.
Gladys Berejiklian continues a long standing New South Wales tradition of Premiers not serving a full Parliamentary term. The last Premier to serve out a full term was Bob Carr in 2003.
The investigation, and Berejiklian’s resignation is not related to her handling of the current COVID-19 situation in New South Wales.