Santoro to quit parliament
Disgraced former Minister for Ageing Santo Santoro tonight announced he would resign from parliament next week.
"I've advised the prime minister tonight, and I wish to advise the senate, that I will shortly resign from this august institution," he told parliament.
"I will make that advice formal at the close of these current two-week sittings, giving both the Queensland Liberal Party and the Queensland parliament time to appoint my replacement before the commonwealth parliament again meets."
Senator Santoro was forced to resign from the ministry on Friday after failing to properly declare his multiple shareholdings.
Senator Santoro, who entered federal parliament in 2002, tonight made an emotional statement to the Senate about his role in the share scandal that cost him his ministerial career.
"I stand here tonight with a heavy heart to address an institution that I hold most dear,'' he said.
"Last Friday I corrected the register of senate interests to include several dozen omissions from my assets holdings which should have been included both prior to, and during, my time as minister for ageing.
"I'm now confident the register reflects accurately all of my assets, both leading up to and during my time as minister.''
He revealed he had hired an independent auditor to go over his financial records, and denied deliberately misleading parliament.
"Despite some of the more convoluted allegations to which I have recently been subject, I can proudly assert that I have at no time acted with dishonesty, deceit or deliberate intent to withhold information from the Senate,'' he said.
Senator Santoro said he announced his resignation "with a heavy heart''.
He apologised unreservedly to the Senate for his transgressions, acknowledging he had let down his colleagues.
"I am aware that my omissions, which are the product purely of poor attention to compliance, have let down the government, my party and the reputation of this Senate,'' he said.
"I hope my colleagues here will come to recognise this episode as a tragic blemish on an otherwise careful and committed parliamentary career.''
He thanked his family, friends, colleagues and staff for supporting him while he wore political pressure over his failure to comply with asset disclosure requirements.
"It is their support and friendship which makes this choice at once so difficult, and so necessary.''
AAP
When news happens: send photos, videos & tip-offs to 0424 SMS SMH (+61 424 767 764), or us.
SAVE 33% on home delivery of the Herald - subscribe today