NSW Finance Minister and Minister for the Illawarra Greg Pearce has been sacked for breaching the ministerial code of conduct just weeks after he returned to the job from stress leave.
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NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said he told Mr Pearce of his decision over the phone at 1.45pm today.
‘‘The ministerial code of conduct is very clear,’’ Mr O’Farrell said.
‘‘I’ve repeatedly said I expect the highest standards from my government.
‘‘Where codes are broken there will be consequences.’’
Mr Pearce was disappointed and unhappy with the decision, Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr Pearce will be replaced by Disabilities Services Minister Andrew Constance. John Ajaka, a member of the NSW Legislative Council, will join cabinet as Mr Constance’s replacement and will take over the role of Minister for the Illawarra.
After previously standing by Mr Pearce, Premier Barry O’Farrell today said the finance minister had failed to declare a conflict of interest in appointing lawyer Richard Fisher to the board of Sydney Water.
Mr Pearce’s wife reported to Mr Fisher in her area of work, Mr O’Farrell said.
The premier added that Mr Fisher was clearly ‘‘meritorious’’, having been appointed previously by both sides of politics to positions ranging from the Australian Law Reform Commission to the Library Council of NSW.
‘‘But what’s clear is where there are apparent or possible or actual conflicts of interest, those interests either have to be avoided or ... declared.
‘‘That did not happen.’’
Mr Fisher was appointed to the Sydney Water board in 2011.
Mr Pearce had been under fire in recent months following allegations that he was drunk in Parliament and that he had rorted the ministerial travel guidelines over a trip to Canberra.
A report by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in June found that Mr Pearce had breached the state government’s ministerial travel guidelines when he booked a private trip to Canberra through the government’s travel agency.
Mr Pearce paid for the bill upon his return, but saved himself $188 by using the contractor.
Mr Pearce apologised for his actions before announcing that he was taking a month off to recover from ‘‘stress and exhaustion’’.
‘‘I should not have booked the trip through the government contractor and I sincerely apologise for this,’’ he said.
‘‘Those who know me know my behaviour is out of character,’’ he said.
He only returned to the role in mid July, making his first public appearance in Port Kembla to update the media on the progress of the $100 million Illawarra infrastructure fund.
"Yes, I did work myself to the point of exhaustion but I’ve had a month off and I’m feeling very fit now and I’m very privileged to be here as the Minister for the Illawarra," he said at the time.
with AAP
