NSW SES Commissioner Adam Dent has tendered his resignation in the wake of his conviction in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday for drink driving.
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Emergency Services minister David Elliott announced on Saturday morning Mr Dent’s decision to step down from the role he has held for just over a year.
The Mercury reported exclusively that Mr Dent was fined $1000 and had his licence disqualified for six months after pleading guilty to driving with almost double the legal alcohol limit in his system on the evening of December 30.
Mr Dent told the court he’d drunk three glasses of wine at a friend’s place between 4pm and 7pm and had only eaten cheese and biscuits.
He was stopped at a random breath testing site in Fairy Meadow while driving to his home in North Wollongong.
Mr Elliott called his youngest ever commissioner “an idiot” in an interview with the Mercury on Friday but said he was standing by Mr Dent.
On Saturday, Mr Elliott praised Mr Dent for his service.
“Since being appointed as commissioner in 2014, Mr Dent has provided excellent service to the people of NSW and the SES,” Mr Elliott said.
“However, yesterday morning I discussed this conviction and other driving matters with Mr Dent, which led to my decision, regretfully, to accept his resignation.”
Deputy Commissioner Greg Newton will serve as acting commissioner while recruitment is undertaken for the role.
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