David Campbell
resigned last night before television footage of him visiting a gay sex club was aired, had been living a double life for more than two decades, Premier Kristina Keneally said today.
Addressing reporters, Ms Keneally said that it was undoubtedly a "very difficult period" for Mr Campbell and his family.
"I do think that under these circumstances David has made the right call, the right call for himself and for his family, to take that time that he and his family clearly need to work through the issues that have arisen," she said.
OPINION: Manufactured scandal shatters careerShe said she was "disappointed and angry" about the minister's behaviour but, as a woman, concerned for his family, "his wife in particular".
VIDEO: Keneally defends CampbellShe did not think it was acceptable for him to abuse the benefits of his office, his car in particular.
She said she did not think that Mr Campbell had previously thought about the impact on his family of his double life.
She said he had been living with his secret for over two decades.
VIDEO: David Campbell leaving the gay sex club"He told me his first concern was for his wife and children and that's why he wanted to resign," she said.
She said Mr Campbell was "one of the work horses of my government" and that his record as a minister stood him in very good stead.
VOTE: Should the disgraced state MP now resign from his seat of Keira?She said it was time for everyone to stand back and give Mr Campbell space to deal with his personal issues.
She said his secret had come out "not in a manner of his choosing".
She said human beings were complex individuals and there was "never a black and white in these things".
She said she though it was "a very difficult situation for David" and for the community to deal with.
Callers to talkback radio this morning took opposing stances about whether or not the story was in the public interest, with many saying Mr Campbell's private life was no-one else's business, while others said it was hypocritical for the minister to have campaigned in his electorate on family values.
Mr Campbell's resignation sparked a debate today about whether Channel Seven publicising his visit to a gay sex club is in the public interest.
Channel Seven last night aired footage of Mr Campbell leaving Ken's of Kensington, a club in Sydney's eastern suburbs that offers "a venue for men who prefer men".
The footage also showed Mr Campbell driving his government car to and from the club.
Reports today suggested it was known within the NSW Cabinet that Mr Campbell, who is married, frequented gay establishments.
The journalist responsible for the story, Channel Seven reporter Adam Walters, told ABC Radio this morning it "was in the public interest to broadcast details of Mr Campbell's personal life" be cause he campaigned on family values.
"It's blindingly obvious that since 1999 Mr Campbell has purported to be a family man," he said.
"He's represented himself to the people of Kiera as a family man, even going to the extent of sending Christmas cards to his constituents highlighting the fact that he is a man of family values.
"This is about pretence, it's about integrity, it's about character."
Source: smh.com.auFOR FULL COVERAGE SEE SATURDAY'S MERCURY
Email a friend