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New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell says he will resign owing to a "significant memory fail" when giving evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption yesterday, reports abc.net.
The man who implemented NSW's tough lockout laws has been unable to explain to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) a call from his phone to a water executive who allegedly gave him a $3,000 bottle of Grange wine. ICAC alleges the company Australian Water Holdings (AWH) lobbied Mr O'Farrell over an agreement with the state-owned Sydney Water to roll out water infrastructure.
At a press conference this morning, the Premier said that while the evidence he gave to ICAC was "truthful," he admits that "there is a thankyou note signed by me" to AWH executive Nick Di Girolamo.
"As someone who believes in accountability, in responsibility I accept the consequences of my action," he said. "In no way did I seek to mislead wilfully ... the Independent Commission Against Corruption. That would go against everything I am. But this has been a clearly significant memory fail on my part, but I accept the consequences of my actions. And that is that as soon as I can organise a meeting of the parliamentary party next week, I will be resigning the position and enabling a new Liberal leader to be elected, to someone will become the premier of NSW."
What does this mean for Sydney's 1:30am lockouts and 3am cessation of alcohol service?
