The region was last night poised to learn who will represent the Illawarra on the NSW Government front bench after Heathcote MP Paul McLeay resigned in disgrace.
The young parliamentarian made a shock departure from Cabinet yesterday after admitting he used a government computer to visit porn and gambling websites.
His rapid fall from grace after just nine months in the ministry leaves three portfolio positions vacant: minister for the Illawarra, ports and waterways, and mineral and forest resources.
It is the latest in a string of high-profile scandals to beset the Labor government and comes just a week after Premier Kristina Keneally warned MPs to curb their poor conduct.
"If (this) ill discipline continues, the blunt reality is that we will lose the election," she said last week.
MERCURY SAYS: It's time to call it a day Ms Keneally VOTE: Should we go to the polls early to elect a new State Government?Mr McLeay is the third Illawarra MP to resign from a ministerial post during the current parliamentary term.
In 2008, Kiama MP Matt Brown quit as minister for both the Illawarra and police after a boozy post-budget party at which he reportedly danced in his underwear.
Mr Brown has denied the allegations.
In May this year, Keira MP David Campbell resigned as roads and transport minister after he was filmed leaving a gay sex club in Sydney.
Mr McLeay, the region's highest-ranking MP, resigned immediately at the request of the Premier after the revelations surfaced yesterday morning.
The 38-year-old MP was first elected in 2003 and holds Heathcote by 8.8 per cent.
Last week he conceded Labor had "a lot of work to do" to make ground before the next state election after a swing against the ALP in each of the region's three federal seats.
An internal party poll in July this year reportedly found Mr McLeay was among 28 Labor MPs set to lose their seats in March.
In a statement yesterday, Mr McLeay apologised to his wife and family, his colleagues and the electorate.
"As a minister I accept that I am held to a higher standard and that's why I have offered the Premier my resignation," he said, later admitting at a press conference he was "humiliated and embarrassed".
Ms Keneally apologised to the people of NSW for Mr McLeay's behaviour.
"Some people may choose to undertake similar activities in their personal lives, but I cannot condone the use of parliamentary resources by a minister in this way," she said.
"I will not condone it, and I will continue to make clear that I expect the highest integrity from ministers."
She said the vacant positions would be filled shortly.
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said the scandal damaged the NSW economy in a region "crucial to our prosperity and future".
"The latest resignation means further instability and distraction for the Keneally Labor government and further frustration for the people of NSW," Mr O'Farrell said.
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