Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly says allegations he tried to bribe a Blacktown councillor in return for support in a state preselection were ‘‘unfounded’’, while Premier Mike Baird has declared he has confidence in his backbencher.
According to a complaint to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Councillor Jess Diaz alleges last year Riverstone MP Mr Conolly (pictured) offered to have fellow Blacktown councillor Mark Holmes vote for him to become mayor last September.
In return, Cr Diaz would use his influence to ensure Mr Conolly was again preselected as the Liberal candidate for Riverstone for the March 28 state election.
At the time Mr Conolly was under challenge for preselection from Liberal MP Bart Bassett, who was confident of winning with Cr Diaz’s support.
The complaint alleges Cr Hawthorne agreed to the deal because his defacto partner Elizabeth Banks faced losing her job in Mr Conolly’s electorate office if he was no longer in parliament.
Mr Conolly was installed as the candidate for Riverstone in January after the Liberal state executive intervened in the preselection, with Mr Baird’s backing, following Mr Bassett’s appearance at ICAC’s inquiry into political donations rorts.
Last Friday, January 13, Mr Conolly rejected the allegations made in the complaint to ICAC by Cr Diaz as ‘‘a case of sour grapes from a political contender who failed to get his way’’.
‘‘Any implication that I have done anything improper is unfounded,’’ he said.
‘‘I have received legal advice that the allegations are baseless.’’
Asked on Friday if Mr Conolly retained his confidence given the allegations sent to the ICAC, Mr Baird replied that he did.
‘‘Whether it be opponents who have lost preselection or the opposition, at this stage of the election cycle you expect to see those sorts of issues and matters raised,’’ Mr Baird said.