NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is facing a scandal in her government after the corruption watchdog confirmed it would hold a public inquiry into Drummoyne MP John Sidoti.
Mr Sidoti, the former sports minister, has been sidelined from the frontbench for more than 18 months while the Independent Commission of Inquiry (ICAC) conducted a preliminary investigation.
At her COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday morning, Ms Berejiklian said she had had a very brief conversation with Mr Sidoti, and he had offered his resignation from cabinet.
ICAC will hold a public inquiry into Drummoyne MP John Sidoti.Credit:Nick Moir
Geoff Lee will continue as acting Sports Minister until she replaces Mr Sidoti.
On Wednesday morning, ICAC confirmed it would move to a four-week public inquiry into accusations the Drummoyne MP “improperly influenced another person, or persons, to dishonestly or partially exercise any of their official functions” relating to development controls and rezoning of several blocks of land at Five Dock.
The revelation will force Ms Berejiklian to reshuffle her cabinet or redistribute Mr Sidoti’s portfolios to other ministers.
Mr Sidoti has been contacted for comment.
ICAC said it would also examine whether Mr Sidoti “engaged in a breach of public trust by failing to make a number of pecuniary interest disclosures contrary to his obligations to do so under the Constitution (Disclosures by Members) Regulation 1983, the NSW Parliament Code of Conduct for Members and the Ministerial Code of Conduct.”
The inquiry relates to Mr Sidoti’s property interests in Five Dock, near a future metro site.
NSW Labor Jodi McKay referred Mr Sidoti to ICAC on September 26 2019, with the chief commissioner Peter Hall writing to her several days later confirming a premilinary investigation had been launched.
Mr Sidoti surrendered his ministerial salary and entitlements indefinitely while awaiting the outcome of the preliminary hearing.
More to come
Alexandra Smith is the State Political Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.