I appreciate many of you have travelled some distance to come to Kiama. It is a very special place for me to be here in the community. It's a very big day for me, not a day I'm proud of.

I have an important statement to make and I want to make it with my community ...

This community means everything to me. I grew up here, I went to school here. I fell in love here, my son was born here, my best friends (sic) have been forged here, getting involved in the activities such as the surf club and the like. That's why I'm making this statement here in Kiama today.

I am a human being and I have made a mistake and I'm going to cop the consequences of that mistake.

I'm talking about an incident in my office some three months ago during the Budget sittings. As is the tradition in the parliament work colleagues get together and celebrate the budget.

During that celebratory night I behaved in a manner not befitting a minister. I spoke to the premier about this and it was agreed that I would tender my resignation. It has been tendered. It is effective.

I'm not wanting to duck or weave this issue but you can imagine this is a pretty tough day for me. I tendered my resignation because I behaved in a way not befitting of a minister and I am truly sorry for any offence I may have caused in regard to that behaviour. I regret it. If I could turn back the clock I would.

There has been some scurrilous accusations about inappropriate behaviour regarding a female work colleague. I want to state categorically they are lies.

They are not true, they did not happen. You can see in this community I treat people with respect and I would never treat anyone, let alone a female work colleague, the way some people are suggesting.

Why are they suggesting it? I don't know. They are appalling, offensive allegations and I reject them.

There has been some issue this morning as to the meeting with the premier last night as to who said what. I want to address that as well. When I met the premier face to face, I spoke to him and said I did behave in a manner not befitting a minister. I did not go into the specifics of the night because quite frankly I was embarrassed. And that's where I hope that issue can be cleared up.