New South Wales Premier — or, you know, ex-New South Wales Premier — Barry O'Farrell has resigned over a bottle of wine.
O'Farrell sensationally stepped down after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was presented evidence of a handwritten thank you card O'Farrell sent Australian Water Holdings boss Nick Di Girolamo for a 1959 bottle of Grange worth $3000.
O'Farrell had previously denied being given the gift, because, hey, do you remember every $3000 bottle of wine you've ever been given?
Here's Barry O'Farrell's statement to the press:
"I’ve been advised overnight that this morning at ICAC a thank you note from me in relation to the bottle of wine will be presented. I still can’t recall the receipt of a gift of a bottle of 1959 Grange, I can’t explain what happened to that bottle of wine. But I do accept that there is a thank you note signed by me and as someone who believes in accountability, in responsibility, I accept the consequences of my actions.
"The evidence I gave to the independent commission against corruption yesterday was evidence to the best of my knowledge. I believe it to be truthful and as I said yesterday it's important that citizens deal with police, deal with the courts and deal with watchdogs like ICAC in a truthful fashion.
"In no way did I seek to mislead, wilfully or otherwise, the Independent Commission Against Corruption. But this has clearly been a significant memory fail on my part, albeit within weeks of coming to office, but I accept the consequences of my actions. And that is that as soon as I can organise a meeting of the parliamentary Liberal party for next week I will be resigning the position and enabling a new Liberal leader to be elected, someone who will then become the Premier of NSW."
And here's the handwritten note:
Here's a clearer photo of the Barry O'Farrell thank you note (via @becjbarr) pic.twitter.com/K2k6Grh90d
— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) April 16, 2014
