Former NSW minister selling Sydney unit, prompting retirement talk

Former NSW arts minister Don Harwin is selling his Elizabeth Bay apartment, with his colleagues expecting the Liberal Party elder to leave politics after quitting cabinet over a holiday house scandal.

Mr Harwin, 55, is selling his Sydney home just a fortnight after he was forced to quit when it was revealed he had been commuting to his Pearl Beach holiday home during the COVID-19 crisis.

Former arts minister Don Harwin is selling his Sydney apartment, prompting speculation he will quit politics. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

A source close to Mr Harwin confirmed the apartment would be for sale from Friday. Another source said Mr Harwin had taken a "significant pay cut" after his ministerial salary of about $345,000 was reduced to that of a backbencher's, approximately $170,000.

Several colleagues told the Herald Mr Harwin was "considering his options". One said they believed Mr Harwin, a long-time Liberal strategist, would leave Parliament within months.

Another said: "It would be a huge shame to lose someone like Don because he has a lot to offer the party but he is thinking about what to do next."

Mr Harwin was contacted for comment.

Mr Harwin, who was elected to Parliament in 1999, is entitled to the historical pension scheme which would see him receive 80 per cent of his average parliamentary salary for the rest of his life.

The upper house MLC stepped down on Good Friday after photos emerged days earlier of him at his Central Coast holiday home despite the Berejiklian government urging people to delay non-essential travel.

Mr Harwin apologised and Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was "deeply disappointed" by his actions but stressed he had not broken any rules.

In a statement, Mr Harwin said he had been "working remotely" from his holiday home for "a number of weeks prior" to the public health orders coming into effect, which now prohibits all non-essential travel without a "reasonable excuse".

"I took advice from my department officials about the Public Health Order to ensure I adhered to the guidelines during this period," Mr Harwin said.

"While I was assured I was compliant with the guidelines I apologise to the Premier and the people of NSW. "

The orders, which were implemented on March 31, state that moving "between different places of residence of the person" is a reasonable excuse for leaving the home.

Mr Harwin was also issued a $1000 fine from NSW Police for breaching public health orders.

After the photos of Mr Harwin emerged, Deputy Premier John Barilaro was scathing of his colleague and said he was "bloody angry".

"Politicians aren't exempt from this rule and what Don Harwin has done over the last couple of weeks is unacceptable. I'm absolutely upset about it," Mr Barilaro said.

Senior Liberal sources said Mr Barilaro had made it clear that he would continue to criticise Mr Harwin unless he resigned from the frontbench.