#Australia gladys berejiklian resigns full#

Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign the office of Premier. 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 at a public hearing nearly 12 months ago. The people of New South Wales need certainty as to who their leader is during these challenging times of the pandemic.

However, standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of New South Wales. That same standard must apply to me as Premier. The reason for my stance was not to have made any presumptions as to their conduct, but rather to maintain the integrity of the public office which was held while an investigation was completed. 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. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy PiperĪs the leader of the New South Wales Government, I have expected the highest of standards of myself and my colleagues. Gladys Berejiklian said she had ‘no option’ but to resign. I want to be very clear, in all the decisions I have ever made as a Minister or as Premier for New South Wales, my first consideration has always been the wellbeing and welfare of the people of this state. Many of the matters were the subject of questions I was asked by the opposition while appearing before an estimates committee hearing earlier this year. I was advised late yesterday afternoon the Independent Commission Against Corruption would today release a public statement in which it will state it is investigating allegations made about me concerning matters relating to the former member for Wagga Wagga.Īs it will be clear from the ICAC statement, the issues which it is investigating are historic matters that have already been the subject of numerous attacks on me by political opponents during the last 12 months. I have had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, but one which I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect that I have for the people of New South Wales and the high regard which I have for the office of Premier.

#Australia gladys berejiklian resigns full#

You can read the full text of her final speech as Premier here: Ms Berejiklian became emotional during the six-minute speech, and didn’t take questions. Making the announcement after the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it would be investigating Ms Berejiklian, she said she the decision went against “every instinct in my being”, but that she had been given “no option”. Gladys Berejiklian has shocked New South Wales with her bombshell announcement to resign as Premier.