Review into Minister John Sidoti could be finished within days
A departmental review into embattled MP John Sidoti’s property interests and ministerial obligations is expected to report back within a week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said.
NSW
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THE review into besieged MP John Sidoti’s pecuniary disclosures and ministerial obligations could be completed within days.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian expects the “thorough” review into Mr Sidoti’s affairs to be wrapped up quickly and says it will provide the people of NSW with clarity around the scandal.
It comes after Deputy Premier John Barilaro declared public trust in politicians and government has never been so low.
The Sports Minister has been under fire this week for allegedly failing to declare, or being slow in declaring, his interests in a series of property developments near key infrastructure projects.
While he has denied all wrongdoing, Opposition Leader Jodi McKay has referred the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
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Ms Berejiklian told 2GB radio this morning the review she has ordered will look into whether Mr Sidoti has abided by the NSW ministerial code of conduct and whether he, either as a minister or in his previous roles, had access to confidential information that may have benefited him financially.
“I think what is important is for the public to maintain integrity and confidence in the process of government,” she told Alan Jones.
“Mr Sidoti is hardworking, he has told me that he has done nothing wrong, but to ensure that he has complied in every which way I have asked the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet to investigate the matter,” she said.
“I have not put a time frame on it … I have asked the Secretary to make it thorough, and when he has completed that investigation he will let us know.
“I don’t anticipate it will be very long, I anticipate that it will come back next week, but that’s a matter for him, I don’t want to pre-empt or put a time frame on that.”
Mr Barilaro said the scandal involving Mr Sidoti had come at a time when trust in politicians was at a particularly low point.
“We know public sentiment towards politicians and government has probably been at the lowest in many years,” he told a budget estimates hearing today.
“I think the shenanigans of parties — what we are seeing played out in the public domain at the moment — I’m not going to go into the detail on any of that.”
Mr Barilaro said the ministerial code of conduct was “important” and that every minister should “use every endeavour to make sure that you follow the code”.
“I would hope to believe that every minister abides by the code, fills in their pecuniary interest, they report everything that is accepted or expected from members of parliament,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The issue here is this debate, the judgment on Mr Sidoti is being played out in the public domain and not often does the truth reach the public,” he said.
“The Premier has now said there will be a review, let’s let the review pursue the truth and hopefully come out with an answer for all, because it is important for the public to have trust in their officials.
“And I have been in the middle of this myself previously with accusations of my pecuniary interests, if I have met the code, and in the end of course being cleared,” he said.