John Barilaro has announced he will resign as deputy premier of NSW and leader of the NSW Nationals, and that he would be “leaving politics”.
The decision comes just days after Gladys Berejiklian resigned as NSW premier amid an investigation from the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Mr Barilaro said he would call a party room meeting on Wednesday to formally resign and call for a leadership ballot.
He told reporters on Monday his decision to leave politics was centred on personal reasons rather than Ms Berejiklian’s abrupt exit as premier.
He said he had been considering his departure for some time, with the timing brought forward by the reshaping of the state government’s leadership team.
“There is never a right or wrong time to leave politics,” he said.
“[But] I genuinely think it is the right and proper thing to be honest with people and not put my hand up.”
He has also ruled out taking a tilt at federal politics in the next election, following his exit from state parliament.
“I have no intention and no will that I will be running for Eden-Monaro or for federal politics – I am leaving politics,” he said.
He previously announced last year he would run in the seat of Eden-Monaro before pulling out some 24 hours later.
Mr Barilaro was first elected to the NSW parliament in 2011 and took over as deputy premier in 2016.
