Anthony John Sidoti (Italian: [siˈdɔːti]) is an independent Australian politician who was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Drummoyne since 2011.[2] He was a member of the Liberal Party, but moved to the crossbench as an independent in March 2021, following the announcement of a public inquiry into his property dealings by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
John Sidoti | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans | |
| In office 2 April 2019 – 3 March 2021 | |
| Premier | Gladys Berejiklian |
| Preceded by | Stuart Ayres (as Minister for Sport) Ray Williams (as Minister for Multiculturalism) Tanya Davies (Minister for Ageing) David Elliott (as Minister for Veterans Affairs) |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Ward |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Drummoyne | |
| In office 26 March 2011 – 25 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Angela D'Amore |
| Succeeded by | Stephanie Di Pasqua |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anthony John Sidoti 31 July[1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Independent (since 2021) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (until 2021) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Prior to the ICAC announcement, Sidoti was the New South Wales Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans in the second Berejiklian ministry between April 2019 and March 2021.[3][4][5] He stood down from his ministerial duties in September 2019 pending the potential investigation by ICAC. He was subsequently found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct.
He stood down at the 2023 New South Wales state election.
Early career and background
editThe son of Italian immigrants, Sidoti was raised in Sydney's inner west and educated at De La Salle College, Ashfield and the Ryde College of TAFE where he studied hospitality.[2] From 1992 to 2008, Sidoti ran a function centre in Five Dock together with his family,[6] and then was a part-time fruit merchant.[2]
Elected to Burwood Council in 2008, Sidoti served as mayor from 2009 up until the 2011 state election, when he stood down as mayor, remaining as a councillor.[6]
Political career
editAt the 2011 state election, Sidoti was elected with a swing of 19.4 points, and won the seat with 66.7 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote.[7] Sidoti's main opponent was mayor of the City of Canada Bay, Angelo Tsirekas, representing the Labor Party. At the 2015 state election, Sidoti increased his two-party-preferred margin by around 1.7 points. From 22 June 2011 to 6 March 2015, he chaired the Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics Committee and served as deputy co-chair of the Social Policy Committee. From 17 October 2015 to 23 January 2017, he was parliamentary secretary for Transport, Roads, Industry, Resources and Energy and, from 1 February 2017 to 23 March 2019, was the parliamentary secretary to Cabinet.[2][8]
Following the 2019 state election, Sidoti was appointed Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans in the second Berejiklian ministry, with effect from 2 April 2019.[9]
Corrupt conduct
editOn 17 September 2019, Sidoti stood down from his ministerial duties pending a potential investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into his property dealings.[10] On 3 March 2021, ICAC announced its intention to conduct a public inquiry into those dealings.[11] As a result, he resigned from the cabinet and moved to the crossbench as an independent.[12] In July 2022, ICAC found that Sidoti had engaged in serious corrupt conduct by using his position to influence local councillors to benefit his family’s property interests.[13] As of July 2022, the ICAC was now seeking advice whether to charge Sidoti with corruption.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans". Hansard. 31 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d "The Hon (John) Anthony John Sidoti, MP". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Government Notices (30)" (PDF). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 2 April 2019. p. 1088-1090. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ "Premier announces new Cabinet" (Press release). Premier of New South Wales. 31 March 2019. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ Han, Sophie (2 April 2019). "Berejiklian's new massive cabinet sworn in amid peals of laughter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ a b Saulwick, Jacob (29 March 2011). "Grazie, signore – ALP dumped in Drummoyne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Green, Antony (1 April 2011). "Drummoyne". NSW Votes 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ "Mr (John) Anthony John SIDOTI (1970 - )". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ Sas, Nick (31 March 2019). "Gladys Berejiklian says Liberal Party has no women problem as re-elected NSW Premier shuffles Cabinet". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ "John Sidoti steps down pending ICAC probe into property deal". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ^ Smith, Alexandra (3 March 2021). "John Sidoti resigns from cabinet after ICAC launches public hearing". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "NSW MP John Sidoti joins crossbench after ICAC announces inquiry into property dealings". www.abc.net.au. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ Cormack, Natassia Chrysanthos, Lucy (20 July 2022). "Drummoyne MP John Sidoti found corrupt by ICAC". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Cormack, Natassia Chrysanthos, Lucy (20 July 2022). "Drummoyne MP John Sidoti found corrupt by ICAC". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)