http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O_IVhv-a6o
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has sensationally resigned. Follow all the latest news and reaction as it develops.
12:28pm: This exchange from Barry O’Farrell’s second appearance at ICAC today sums up much of the past 24 hours.
Watson: Mr O’Farrell, I’ll show you the originals of the documents that were recovered overnight and I’ll just ask you to have a look at them and just confirm it is your handwriting. Is that right?
O’Farrell: Yes.
Watson: Well Mr O’Farrell, it’s in a pretty sad position that we are now. I’ve got to ask you: why should the people of NSW, why should they not think that you didn’t give honest evidence yesterday, Mr O’Farrell?
O’Farrell: Well I certainly tried to give accurate evidence to the best of my recollection. Can I say, counsel, that in the days since I’ve been back from China when this matter was first raised with me by my counsel, it went from boxes of wine, to box of wine, to yesterday a bottle of wine. It went from a date that was allegedly in June, to May, then April, back to May, then yesterday to the 20th of April. I gave this matter thought. I considered what I’d been doing and I gave yesterday my best recollection of that which clearly was mistaken and Commissioner, I certainly regret that.
The thank you note that brought down a premier.
12:22pm: The race to replace Barry O’Farrell is on in earnest.
Liberal Party sources have told Herald State Political Editor Sean Nicholls the numbers remain “very fluid”.
At this early stage, Treasurer Mike Baird is being touted as the leading contender. A member of the left faction, Baird also enjoys the support of many in the right thanks to his position on privatisation of public assets.
The question is whether Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian will run. Ms Berejiklian has always been touted as O’Farrell’s favoured successor. It is understood she has told colleagues she has yet to make up her mind.
As a long time warrior of the left, there is a view the right could actively seek to destabilise her premiership.
12:18pm: Asked by Agius if it was common for him to receive gifts after his March 2011 election vicotory, O’Farrell says: “There was an avalanche of letters, of emails, and there was one or two small gifts.”
This included some bottles of wine.
And that concludes the outgoing Premier’s testimony, as he exits the witness box. Stand by for a full transcript.
12:15pm: He may have given incorrect evidence at ICAC on Tuesday regarding a $3000 bottle of wine, but there is no suggestion O’Farrell gave an advantage to Australian Water Holdings, the commission has heard.
O’Farrell’s own barrister, John Agius, SC – counsel assisting the 1990s Wood Royal Commission – says there has been no suggestion O’Farrell acted corruptly or gave an advantage to Australian Water.
“It will not be suggested either,” Watson says.
“I am indebted for that,” Agius says.
12:13pm: O’Farrell says the evidence at ICAC still hasn’t jogged his memory about receiving the wine.
“I stand by the evidence I gave yesterday,” he says.
O’Farrell adds he has no memory of a phone call he made to Nick Di Girolamo around 9.30pm on April 20, 2011 – the day the Grange was delivered to his then home at Roseville.
12:12pm: Barry O’Farrell is back in the box at ICAC.
Watson asks why should the people of NSW should believe he gave honest evidence yesterday.
12:12pm: As Barry O’Farrell prepares to once again begin giving evidence at ICAC, his predecessor in the job, Labor’s Kristina Keneally, has spoken to 2UE radio.
In the interview, Ms Keneally, who also appeared at ICAC during the AWH inquiry, said:
- She had been in a meeting and only just found out about the resignation;
- Feels sorry for the people of NSW;
- Says in her experience she can’t imagine how you would forget such a thing, but will say when you are premier it is a very hectic time;
- Says she takes no pleasure or joy in hearing about BOF’s resignation.
11:51am: 9.17am. That’s what time ICAC learned of the existence of a handwritten note from Barry O’Farrell thanking Nick Di Girolamo for the 1959 wine.
An irate counsel assisting the inquiry, Geoffrey Watson, SC, has this morning defended ICAC against the suggestion that it was “sitting on” the thank you card from O’Farrell.
The smoking gun, instead, came from Mr Di Girolamo.
“I just want to correct something. I’ve been informed while I’ve been sitting here that there is some suggestion being made that ICAC had access to that information relating to Mr O’Farrell, the card, and sat on it, held it back until Mr O’Farrell gave his evidence,” Watson said.
“If it is being said, it’s false, it shouldn’t be said and quite frankly – and I think I probably speak on behalf of everybody at ICAC – I resent it if it is being said.
“I can tell whoever wants to know in the world ICAC acquired the information at 9.17am this morning.”
Di Girolamo then adds: “I would resent that too, commissioner.”
Commissioner Megan Latham says: “I can also verify that the email to ICAC came onto my desk at 9.20am this morning and that it was sent through partly I think from Mr Alexis [Mr Di Girolamo’s barrister, Todd Alexis, SC] to Mr Watson as I understand it at that time and prior to that time no one had any knowledge that that document even existed.”
source: smh.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 