Liberal MP John Sidoti quits party as watchdog awaits

John Sidoti has quit the party after the NSW corruption watchdog said it would begin a public inquiry into his conduct.

Former Berejiklian government minister John Sidoti has quit the Liberal Party and his position in cabinet after the NSW corruption watchdog said it would begin a public inquiry into his conduct.

After 18 months of preliminary investigations, Mr Sidoti will face the Independent Commission Against Corruption in a month-long hearing looking into allegations he “improperly influenced” the advancements of multiple development sites in Five Dock, in Sydney’s inner west.

The ICAC will also consider allegations that Mr Sidoti failed to disclose “a number of” his financial interests, it said in a statement.

The allegations relate to Mr Sidoti’s property interests near a future Sydney Metro station site. The properties are owned through his family, disclosures show.

Hours after Mr Sidoti resigned from his portfolio — as minister for sports, multiculturalism, seniors and veterans — he quit the Liberal Party altogether, saying while he rejected the allegations, he was concerned his presence might be “used as a distraction”.

“For that reason I have decided to voluntarily remove myself from the Liberal partyroom and sit on the crossbench for the duration of the ICAC investi­gation and I look forward to returning to it after my name has been cleared,” Mr Sidoti said in a statement.

On Wednesday morning, Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed she’d asked Mr Sidoti for his resignation during a brief conversation but wouldn’t comment on whether it was appropriate for the Drummoyne MP to move to the crossbench.

“I’ve not even seen the terms of reference; I’ve just been advised there are public hearings at the end of the month,” Ms Berejiklian said. “There’s a due process that needs to be followed.”

Skills Minister Geoff Lee will continue as the Acting Sports Minister until a replacement is found for Mr Sidoti.

Mr Sidoti’s move to the crossbench leaves the Coalition government with a one-seat majority in the NSW lower house.

Mr Sidoti stepped aside as a minister in September 2019 after NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay referred him to ICAC chief commissioner Peter Hall QC.

“The commission is investigating allegations that between 26 March, 2011, and 6 February, 2018, Mr Sidoti improperly influenced another person, or persons, to dishonestly or partially exercise any of their official functions,” the ICAC statement said.

The investigation will focus on allegations that Mr Sidoti attempted to advance “amendments to development controls affecting land” and “any rezoning of the land and/or any proposals to ­develop the land”.

After a tumultuous ICAC probe into disgraced former ­Liberal MP Daryl Maguire rocked the Berejiklian government, Ms McKay called on the NSW Premier to sack Mr Sidoti from the Liberal Party, saying the public couldn’t have faith in the integrity of the government while he remained.

“From the Premier down, they’ve given up on integrity. There is a culture conducive to corruption, and the Premier needs to sack John Sidoti,” the Opposition Leader said.

In December, Mr Sidoti surrendered his ministerial salary and entitlements, but only after he had accrued over $17,000 in wages while awaiting the findings of the preliminary investigation.

Mr Sidoti has a declared interest in four Five Dock properties, all located within 100m of the ­proposed metro station.

The public hearing will be led by chief commissioner Mr Hall.

Rob Ranken will be counsel assisting the commission.