Embattled minister who resigned after being caught breaking coronavirus restrictions is all smiles

A minister who was forced to resign after being caught breaking laws around coronavirus travel was all smiles on Saturday despite losing his senior government job the day before. 

New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin seemed to be in good spirits after a trip to Woolworths and Rushcutters Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Saturday afternoon.

This was despite days of negative press which ultimately resulted in a $1,000 fine and his resignation from the New South Wales state government.   

New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin seemed to be in good spirits while talking a walk after a trip to the supermarket in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Saturday afternoon

The coalition frontbencher was under increasing pressure to resign after being spotted staying at his $1.3million Pearl Beach holiday home instead of his primary residence.

Reports also emerged from the Daily Telegraph Mr Harwin had been housing former Liberal candidate Geoffrey Winters at the holiday home – who had recently returned from the UK.  

After resigning on Friday the minister has kept out of the public eye – in hiding at his Sydney apartment at Elizabeth Bay.   

Mr Harwin offered his resignation to Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday.

 The coalition frontbencher seemed unphased he had been forced to resign from his senior government job after a trip to the shops in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs on Saturday

The embattled minister didn’t seemed upset about losing his senior government job or a $1,000 fine from New South Wales police during an outing in Sydney on Saturday

The Premier – who accepted the offer – said the strict social distancing rules introduced to combat the spread COVID-19 apply equally to everyone.   

‘Whilst Minister Harwin has served the people of NSW well, and he continues to assure me that he did not break the rules, the orders in place apply equally to everyone,’ she said. 

‘Accordingly, Minister Harwin has appropriately resigned from cabinet.’  

Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) accepted Mr Harwin’s offer and said the strict coronavirus rules applied to everyone 

PREMIER GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN STATEMENT IN FULL 

During this health crisis my government has asked the community to make greater sacrifices than all of us have ever had to make before.

These sacrifices are saving lives, and I am proud of the people of NSW for continuing to uphold the law in the interest of the public health.

Late last night I was advised Minister Don Harwin had been fined $1000 for breaching a public health order.

The Police, who have been tasked by my Government with enforcing these health orders, came to the conclusion that Minister Harwin breached the order.

Whilst Minister Harwin has served the people of NSW well, and he continues to assure me that he did not break the rules, the orders in place apply equally to everybody.

Accordingly, Minister Harwin has appropriately resigned from cabinet.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Harwin said there was nothing more important than the work of the government while fighting the coronavirus crisis.   

‘I will not allow my circumstances to be a distraction from that work and I very much regret that my residential arrangements have become an issue during this time,’ he said.

‘At all times I have sought to act in accordance with public health orders and I sought advice that my living arrangements complied with those orders.’

Mr Harwin said he was confident he followed the public health orders but added that ‘perception is just as important’ during the health crisis. 

‘The premier and her team are doing an outstanding job during the biggest crisis our state and nation have faced during our lifetimes,’

‘It is absolutely vital they should be able to focus entirely on the health and economic issues facing our community.’  

Officers spoke with the 55-year-old on Thursday and he was issued with a $1,000 fine via email just before 9pm, NSW Police later said in a statement.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian defied calls to sack the MP but on Thursday told him to return to his Sydney apartment – acknowledging the ‘perception is horrible’.

Pearl Beach (pictured) is a popular tourist spot on the New South Wales Central Coast 

‘It’s not just about sticking to the rules, it’s about making sure there’s a perception that everybody is sticking to the rules including members of parliament,’ the premier told reporters.

She said she became aware of his change of residence a few days ago, despite Mr Harwin travelling back to Sydney for a medical consultation and parliamentary sitting on March 24.

But Ms Berejiklian is adamant Mr Harwin didn’t break the rules because he relocated on March 13 before state COVID-19 regulations came into effect on March 17.  

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Harwin rejected he was a ‘tourist’ and claimed he had spent most of the past four months at Pearl Beach.

The 55-year-old said he had chosen to move out of Sydney for health reasons as someone with a history of respiratory problems.

But The Daily Telegraph reported Mr Harwin strongly argued against government plans to ban holidays during a Cabinet meeting.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro excused himself from the meeting after declaring he had a conflict of interest because he owned an Airbnb property.

Five ministers claimed Mr Harwin did not say he had a conflict of interest during the meeting, despite advertising his 1.3million property for $515 per night online. 

‘There was a heated exchange between (Planning Minister Rob) Stokes and Harwin when Stokes was pushing a crackdown,’ someone in the meeting said.

‘It really surprised me, I couldn’t understand why. Now I understand why he was so strident.’

Police checkpoints are set up at the New South Wales/Queensland border to prevent non essential travel between the two states

Mr Harwin said he normally rented the property out but couldn’t due to the bushfires and COVID-19.

His spokesperson declined to comment on why the minister didn’t speak up about his conflict of interest during the meeting. 

The debacle followed days of calls from the state government urging the public against all non-essential travel to regional New South Wales towns, especially over the Easter long weekend.  

Breaching social distancing guidelines in New South Wales could result in fines up to $11,000, six months in jail or a hefty $1,000 on-the-spot fine.

New South Wales police is urging residents to stay home this Easter Long Weekend

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