NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher has stood aside after ICAC decided to pursue him over a plot to disguise developer donations.
The inquiry heard Mr Gallacher was part of a corrupt scheme to use a sham business to funnel illicit donations to the Liberal Party.
Mr Gallacher’s legal counsel Arthur Moses SC announced he would stand aside after counsel assisting the ICAC Geoffrey Watson SC confirmed Mr Gallacher was now a subject of the inquiry.
Mr Moses asked Mr Watson at the hearing to confirm he would pursue a corruption allegation against Mr Gallacher.
“Oh, yes,” came Mr Watson’s prompt reply.
“My learned friend has said that — I assume — having given it some thought,” Mr Moses said.
“Having stated that, then the position of the minister, which will be announced shortly, (is that he) will stand aside as minister pending the outcome of the inquiry.”
