NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell continues to face pressure to sack Gaming Minister George Souris following allegations of Mr Souris’s dealings in a sexual harassment issue at Sydney’s Star casino.
Drawing more criticism to the issue was the sacking of a female casino employee who complained. A series of leaked text messages and emails have added to the pressure on Mr O’Farrell.
One text message from Gaming Minister George Souris shows he agreed to keep details of the harassment claim at the casino from the Premier. A senior staff member in Mr O’Farrell’s office, who has a personal relationship with the woman who complained, has been stood aside while the matter is investigated.
Despite the brewing scandal, Mr O’Farrell continues to stand by Mr Souris, claiming he is “not concerned that either my communications director or my minister was seeking to protect a woman who was the victim of sexual harassment,” he said.
The push to strip Mr Souris of his government position has gone to the top, with the Opposition’s attempt to use “the call to papers” order in State Parliament’s Upper House today to force the release of all Star casino documents. While the motion failed to gain the necessary support from minor parties, an inquiry has been started by the Casino Control Authority.
