BREAKING NEWS: John Barilaro resigns as NSW Deputy Premier

Another shocking blow has been dealt to the New South Wales Government, as Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro resigns from office.

This comes after a very unstable week in New South Wales politics. On Sunday, October 3, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced his resignation from NSW parliament, stating that he will run for the seat of Gilmore at the next Federal election.

On Friday, October 1, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced her resignation due to a NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation into alleged misconduct by Berejiklian in 2012, and 2018.

Earlier, in a shocking move, Gladys Berejiklian gave a press conference announcing that she will be resigning as the premier of New South Wales.

Arguably one of the toughest gigs in the country during the pandemic, Gladys is stepping down from her role amid the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation that dates back to misconduct from 2012 and 2018 respectively.

The probe is investigating Berejiklian’s conduct in awarding grants to community organisations and her involvement with former MP Daryl Maguire.

ICAC will hold a hearing on Monday, October 18.

The hearing concerns a breach of public trust pertaining to a failure of reporting of information that related MP Daryl Maguire, who Berejiklian claims to have been in a “close personal relationship”.

Maguire, who was the local member for Wagga Wagga, resigned from his position in 2018.

“The general scope and purpose of the public inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the matters being investigated for the purpose of determining the matters referred to in section 13(2) of the ICAC Act.”

During her announcement Berejiklian said, “The people of this state need certainty as to who their leader is during the 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 called to give evidence at a public hearing nearly twelve months ago.

“Therefore it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign from the office of premier … My resignation will take effect once the NSW Liberal Party can elect a new leader.”

Watch the press conference here:

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns amid probe by anti-corruption watchdog https://t.co/LaPZE5VZDT

— Tim Hatfield (@timhatfield87) October 1, 2021

BREAKING Gladys Berejiklian has told colleagues she is resigning at Premier.

— Alex Hart (@alexhart7) October 1, 2021

More as it emerges.