ICAC probes into former premier Gladys Berejiklian and Liberal MP John Sidoti has resulted in beefed up requirements for MPs and ministers,including detailing the interests of immediate family members.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has defended his candidate in the Sydney seat of Drummoyne who has worked for suspended former Liberal MP John Sidoti.
The ship of state has lost eight overboard.
The Barilaro affair is a good illustration of why it would be a mistake,when creating a federal anti-corruption body,to confine it to tackling only suspected criminal conduct.
The NSW Premier says he will proceed with his plans to suspend the Drummoyne MP from parliament,saying he would not feel comfortable accepting Sidoti’s vote.
Dominic Perrottet is heading overseas as his government is in turmoil after a former Liberal cabinet minister was found corrupt and an ex-senior Coalition staffer’s claims about John Barilaro.
The premier called for Sidoti to resign after the ICAC found the MP engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” to benefit his family’s property interests in Sydney’s inner west.
Mr Sidoti was asked to calm down and take a deep breath during “chaotic” evidence in which he talked over a barrister and said accusations about him were “unacceptable”.
John Sidoti’s sister and brother-in-law helped prepare a statutory declaration on behalf of a Sydney businessman to dispute claims the Drummoyne MP gave false evidence in a corruption inquiry.
The Drummoyne MP will appear as a witness during the three-day inquiry at the Independent Commission Against Corruption,taking the stand next Thursday and Friday,if required.
For a group of local Liberal pre-selectors in the PM’s electorate,it appears to be no impediment that an aspirant for the top spot on a council ticket is a former bankrupt.