Australia news LIVE NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns as COVID-19 cases grow across the state Victoria records 1143 new cases three deaths
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will quit as NSW Premier after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced she was being investigated by the corruption watchdog.
Ms Berejiklian says she will also leave parliament as soon as a byelection can be held.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addressing the media on Friday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
“Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being ... I love my job and serving the community but I have been given no option following the statement,†Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable to continue the job.
“Please give them your trust and confidence. We will come through this. Stronger, more resilient and appreciating what really matters in life. I felt strong, energised and optimistic about the future of NSW.â€
Resigning NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s full statement has been made available. Here it is below:
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.
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.
As 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.
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 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 well-being and welfare of the people of this state.
I state categorically, I have always acted with the highest level of integrity. History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW who I have had the privilege to serve.
As the leader of the New South Wales Government, I have expected the highest of standards of myself and my colleagues. 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. 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 whilst an investigation was completed. That same standard must apply to me as Premier.
However, standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of New South Wales. The people of New South Wales need certainty as to who their leader is during these challenging times of the pandemic. 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. Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign the office of Premier. My resignation will take effect as soon as the New South Wales liberal party can elect a new Parliamentary leader.
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 on appropriate timing for a by-election given the COVID restrictions.
My resignation as Premier could not happen at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the history of NSW.
That is the ICAC’s prerogative. Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do, I love my job, and serving the community, but I have been given no option following the statement issued.
To continue as Premier would disrupt the State Government during a time when our entire attention should be focused on the challenges confronting New South Wales. I do not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government during this pandemic, which is the well-being of our citizens.
Notwithstanding the challenges of the last few years and few months in particular, I have never felt stronger, nor more confident in my leadership. I have absolutely no regrets during my time in public life. At times we all stumble, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again stronger and wiser than before. I have done this many times, as we all have.
My only regret will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of New South Wales transition to living freely with COVID.
However, I am extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable of continuing this job. Please give them your trust and confidence. We will come through this period stronger, more resilient, and appreciating what really matters in life.
I feel strong, energised and optimistic about the future of this great state.
I want to thank the thousands of our frontline heroes who have kept us safe and kept us going during the darkest days in our state history. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Nothing that we can say or do will be able to demonstrate the significance of what you have done.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Liberal Party to whom I owe my career, the people of the electorate of Willoughby who have elected me five times to be their member of Parliament, my Parliamentary colleagues for their support and hard work, my outstanding and loyal staff past and present, and all the professional public servants with whom I have worked.
I also want to thank my family and friends who have provided me with unconditional support and understanding when I have not been as present due to my responsibilities.
Most importantly I want to thank you, the people of New South Wales. When the chips were down in the past years, in particular during the drought, bushfires and then COVID, we stood alongside each other. We have grieved and supported each other during these tragedies. I hope you know that you will remain foremost in my thoughts. The courage that you display in your lives every day has inspired me every step of the way. The courage and the support you have shown me has humbled me and made me a better leader and a better person. Serving you has been the greatest privilege of my life. Please know that every day I gave it my all and worked as hard as I could to create a better future for our state and its people.
I truly believe that New South Wales is a place where every person, irrespective of their background and circumstances has the opportunity to be their best, to make a difference.
So as I address you for the final time as your Premier, please stay the course and stay safe. We will be shortly out of this lockdown and be able to get on with our lives. NSW and its people will come out of this lockdown stronger, and together we will build a future full of optimism and hope.
Finally, thank you again for giving me the honour of being your Premier.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says authorities will make announcements next week about the state’s border with NSW, and it will be “basically open†soon.
Mr Andrews said while full freedom of movement at the border was slated for when Victoria reaches its 80 per cent double-dose target, it would soon be easier for returning residents to come home.
“We’re going to have some rules around people returning, but hopefully … that can be as light a touch as possible,†Mr Andrews said during Friday’s coronavirus update.
“You’ll still have to be double-dose vaccinated [to return to Victoria], you still have to have a test, but we’re trying to adjust things so that you don’t have to necessarily do the full 14 days [quarantine] at home.
“That’s open compared to what it has been, so there’ll be permits issued, but once we get to 80 per cent it’s my intention to have a freedom of movement â€" that’s always been our goal.â€
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, asked about Gladys Berejikilian’s resignation as NSW Premier within seconds of her making that announcement, says she is a dear friend and has “displayed heroic qualities†in that job.
“I know how much she is trusted and respected by the people of NSW,†he said, saying she would remain a trusted friend and colleague.
Gladys Berejiklian has stepped down as Premier of NSW.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
Earlier, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described Ms Berejiklian as a “person of integrity†who works hard for her state, in light of the NSW corruption watchdog announcing an investigation into her.
Speaking during Friday’s coronavirus update earlier today, the Mr Andrews said he would not “be running a commentary†on Ms Berejiklian.
However, he said: “[I will] state the absolute fact that I’ve always worked very closely with her, and I find her to be a person of integrity, and a person that works hard for her state.
“Mr Andrews said Ms Berejiklian had been “a very important partner†with Victoria.
The ICAC says it is investigating whether between 2012 and 2018 Ms Berejiklian engaged in conduct that “constituted or involved a breach of public trust by exercising public functions†relating to her public role and her private, personal relationship with Mr Maguire.
The inquiry will look at grant money awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association in 2016/17 and grant funding awarded to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in 2018.
It will also examine if Ms Berejiklian engaged in conduct that “constituted or involved the dishonest or partial exercise of any of her official functions and/or a breach of public trust†by failing to report any actions of Mr Maguire to the ICAC.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will quit as NSW Premier after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced she was being investigated by the corruption watchdog.
Ms Berejiklian says she will also leave parliament as soon as a byelection can be held.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addressing the media on Friday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
“Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being ... I love my job and serving the community but I have been given no option following the statement,†Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable to continue the job.
“Please give them your trust and confidence. We will come through this. Stronger, more resilient and appreciating what really matters in life. I felt strong, energised and optimistic about the future of NSW.â€
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is making a significant announcement.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is announcing a low-key reshuffle of his ministers, triggered after Christian Porter quit the frontbench a couple of weeks ago over his use of a blind trust to fund defamation action he took against the ABC.
Energy and Emission Reduction Minister Angus Taylor will add the industry portfolio to his role while Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price takes on the science and technology roles.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has been promoted. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke will be promoted to cabinet, to fill the vacant cabinet position while Ben Morton joins the ministry.
Mr Morton, a confidant of Mr Morrison and previously his assistant minister, becomes special minister of state and minister for the public service.
Member for Goldstein Tim Wilson joins the frontbench for the first time, as the assistant minister to the industry, energy and emissions reduction portfolios.
Australia will reopen its international borders once all states and territories have reached 80 per cent vaccination rate.
It’s anticipated states will offer seven-day home quarantine to vaccinated travellers and 14-day hotel or “managed†quarantine to unvaccinated travellers entering Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a joint statement with six of his ministers.
Those people who can’t be vaccinated, such as children, will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of quarantine arrangements.
The Commonwealth will work with states and territories to remove all caps on the number of people allowed to enter the country. It will continue to offer facilitated flights to help get people stuck overseas home.
“We know it has been an extraordinarily difficult 18 months for Australians overseas trying to come home and for Australians with family and friends overseas,†Mr Morrison said.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has also assessed data for the Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines and says they should be considered “recognised vaccines†for the purposes of travel arrangements, meaning people who have had those shots will be able to have the shorter quarantine period.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is holding a press conference at The Lodge in Canberra.
Good afternoon, and thanks for following our coverage of the day’s major headlines. I’ll be taking over from my colleague Broede Carmody for the rest of the afternoon. If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of what you need to know:
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