NSW Premier Chris Minns was faced with a difficult decision this week, ousting Tertiary Education Minister Tim Crakanthorp from cabinet following a breach of ministerial conduct.
Mr Minns said in a press conference that he had received a report that raised concerns Mr Crakanthorp may have acted in a manner that presented a conflict of interest between his public duties and the private interests of his family members. He stated that he had asked Mr Crakanthorp to resign from cabinet in order to protect the integrity of the government.
Mr Minns said that without more information on the issue, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the matter. He did, however, indicate that out of an ‘abundance of caution’ he had referred the matter to the ICAC for further investigation.
The Premier stated he no longer had faith in the Newcastle MP, who he claimed had not revealed “all known holdings by family members until recently”.
Recently, Minister Crakanthorp failed to provide information about major personal family properties located in the Hunter Region, which goes against the ministerial code. In summary, this constitutes a blatant breach of the ministerial code.
In 2014, Mr Crakanthorp was elected to the NSW lower house as the Newcastle MP. Upon Labor’s victory in March of this year, he was assigned the portfolios for the Hunter, and Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education.
