Sydney, Sep 1 (IANS) A state cabinet minister in Australia’s New South Wales who used his office computer to visit pornographic and gambling websites has resigned.
Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay resigned after confessing to Premier Kristina Keneally that he had ‘used a computer supplied by the parliament to visit gambling and adult sites’.
Keneally confirmed Wednesday that McLeay had resigned from his post at her request, The Age reported.
‘This behaviour is not the standard I expect of a minister. I have made clear to Mr. McLeay that I expect ministers to use the resources of office appropriately. Some people may choose to undertake similar activities in their personal lives, but I cannot condone the use of parliamentary resources by a minister in this way,’ she said.
Keneally apologised to the people of New South Wales, saying, ‘I am sorry that this situation has occurred’.
‘I will continue to make clear that I expect the highest integrity from ministers.’
‘There are too many examples of ill-disciplined behaviour among individual members of parliament and it destroys people’s confidence and people’s trust that the government is focusing on their needs,’ Keneally said.
McLeay was first elected to parliament in 2003, and still holds the southern New South Wales seat of Heathcote. He was appointed to the ministry in 2009.
