Two of New South Wales’ most powerful conservative lobbyists Michael Photios and Joe Tannous have quit the Liberal Party to keep their lobbyists jobs.
This comes as Prime Minister Tony Abbott ruled that party members should no longer work as lobbyists to avoid conflicts of interest.
The two resigned from the party just hours after Mr Abbott announced the new.
Mr Photios, a former NSW State minister and a powerful figure in politics, resigned from the NSW Liberal Party executive after 30 years of service.
“I have always conducted myself in the operation of all government relations advisory services with the utmost integrity and entirely consistent with the relevant state and federal rules,” Mr Photios said.
“Notwithstanding the legitimacy of party officials working in government relations, I agree with the Prime Minister that potential conflicts of interest, either real or perceived, need to align with community expectation.”
Mr Abbott drew a line in the sand, saying party members now must choose who they align themselves with to keep the party’s integrity safe.
“I am determined to ensure that as far as the new Coalition government in Canberra is concerned that not only is it clean and fair, but it’s seen to be clean and fair,” he said.
“That’s why I’m determined to ensure you can either be a powerbroker or a lobbyist but you can’t be both.”
The Prime Minister’s comments could also explain why Arthur Sinodinos was overlooked for a Cabinet position.
Mr Sinodinos was chairman of a company called Australian Water Holdings before he went into Federal Parliament and it is now being investigated by the NSW anti-corruption commission for a government contract it won last year.
Mr Abbott’s decision will also affect the likes of former federal minister turned party official Santo Santoro in Queensland, as well as former Howard government minister Alexander Downer in South Australia.
Source: ABC