GLADYS Berejiklian has resigned as Premier of New South Wales.
Ms Berejiklian announced on Friday afternoon she would also step down from parliament, after NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it would investigate her relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire.
Ms Berejiklian told a press conference at 1pm she had “no option but to resign from the office of Premier”.
She will remain premier until her successor is elected, and will leave parliament as soon as a by-election for her seat can be held.
The ICAC investigation will look into whether Ms Berejiklian “exercised public functions” in a position of conflict between her public duties and private relationship with ex-Wagga Wagga MP Mr Maguire. It will also investigate whether she should have reported Mr Maguire to ICAC if she “suspected on reasonable grounds” that he may have engaged in corrupt conduct.
The former couple’s five-year relationship was kept secret until Ms Berejiklian disclosed it at an ICAC hearing last year.
A public inquiry on the matter, overseen by ICAC Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl SC, will be held from October 18.
More to come.
