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Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy quits over donations scandal Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy quits over donations scandal
(about 1 hour later)
The Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy has resigned over donations he made to Liberal party state candidates when he was a property developer.The Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy has resigned over donations he made to Liberal party state candidates when he was a property developer.
The NSW premier, Mike Baird, called on McCloy to do the “honourable” thing last week after Hunter Valley MPs Andrew Cornwall and Tim Owen resigned from parliament over allegations about accepting illegal donations aired in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac). The NSW premier, Mike Baird, called on McCloy to do the “honourable” thing last week after Hunter Valley MPs Andrew Cornwell and Tim Owen resigned from parliament over allegations about accepting illegal donations aired in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac).
McCloy wrote to the general manager of Newcastle city council on Sunday saying the controversy over the donations he made before the 2011 state election might affect the proper functioning of the council.McCloy wrote to the general manager of Newcastle city council on Sunday saying the controversy over the donations he made before the 2011 state election might affect the proper functioning of the council.
“I believe that I am leaving the city in much better shape financially and physically than it was when I started,” he said.“I believe that I am leaving the city in much better shape financially and physically than it was when I started,” he said.
“I would like to personally thank the general manager and staff of Newcastle city council and the thousands of Novocastrians who supported change in our city.“I would like to personally thank the general manager and staff of Newcastle city council and the thousands of Novocastrians who supported change in our city.
“It has been a privilege serving the people of Newcastle, but now I will leave this to others.”“It has been a privilege serving the people of Newcastle, but now I will leave this to others.”
Icac has heard McCloy donated $10,000 each to Owen and Cornwell before the 2011 election, when they were standing as the Liberal candidates in the seats of Newcastle and Charlestown.Icac has heard McCloy donated $10,000 each to Owen and Cornwell before the 2011 election, when they were standing as the Liberal candidates in the seats of Newcastle and Charlestown.
Owen admitted to meeting McCloy before his Icac hearing and agreeing to tell the commission he returned money to McCloy. He initially went through with the plan, but subsequently admitted to lying to the commission.Owen admitted to meeting McCloy before his Icac hearing and agreeing to tell the commission he returned money to McCloy. He initially went through with the plan, but subsequently admitted to lying to the commission.
Owen and Cornwell had already gone to the crossbenches of the parliament but resigned as MPs after their appearances.Owen and Cornwell had already gone to the crossbenches of the parliament but resigned as MPs after their appearances.
The NSW Liberal party has announced it will not contest the byelections triggered by the resignations “as an act of atonement” but has not ruled out running in the seats at next year’s election.The NSW Liberal party has announced it will not contest the byelections triggered by the resignations “as an act of atonement” but has not ruled out running in the seats at next year’s election.
Cornwell has been called to face Icac again on Thursday.Cornwell has been called to face Icac again on Thursday.