O'Farrell reveals new details over shock resignation
First on 7: Barry O’Farrell has shed new light on the scandal that brought his career crashing down in his first interview since his shock resignation as NSW Premier.
Mr O’Farrell, who served as leader of the NSW Liberal party for seven years, has swapped the treacherous terrain of politics for the dangerous mountains of Papua New Guinea as he takes on the 110-kilometre trek made famous by Australian World War II diggers
The trek is led by upper house MP and former Army major Charlie Lynn, and 7News was invited along for the journey.
It is all far cry from the drama of April, when a 1959 bottle of Grange from Nick di Girolamo, who was pushing for a billion dollar government water contract, ultimately proved his undoing.
The incident was, predictably, dubbed, ‘Grange-gate’.
Mr O'Farrell told the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] he did not receive the wine.
The next day his former friend tendered a hand-written letter from the then-premier, thanking him for the gift.
Three months on, it is clear Mr O’Farrell is still coming to terms with what transpired.
The 55-year-old said: “Well to paraphrase a something the Prime Minister once said, ‘crap happens’. The point is to deal with it.”
But, he realises the only person he can blame is himself.
"Personally you have to live your standards,” added Mr O’Farrell. “Secondly, I understand when things like this happen, even if they're unintentional, there has to be a consequence."
However, he insists he cannot remember the note or receiving the bottle of wine.
One reason, Mr O’Farrell says, may be because the ICAC changed the date and number of bottles he received during the inquiry.
“Look, normally hand-written notes or diary entries will trigger memories. There is still no memory of it.
“It is true that the allegations that were being put to us through counsel initially did change, both in dates and quantum, in size."
While critics want him charged with lying, Mr O'Farrell is confident he will be cleared, adding: “I have nothing to fear from the report of ICAC into Australian Water Holdings.
“Life's moved on, I've moved on. I'm looking forward to completing this trek with my second son."
Mr O’Farrell also shed light on the final moments before his bombshell resignation, revealing he tried to call his wife.
He said: “Well, unfortunately I couldn't get a hold of Rosemary, immediately, which was a bit of an issue later as it would be in most marriages.”
Mr O’Farrell was also left frustrated when his resignation overshadowed one of his proudest achievements, the $3.2 billion Badgerys Creek roads package, which he was meant to be announcing with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Mr O'Farrell was meant to be joining the Prime Minister to announce a 3.2 billion dollar Badgerys Creek roads package.
“He [Mr Abbott] phoned literally seconds before the press conference and he was, he was as shocked as others."
But one person he did not speak to was his deputy of seven years, Andrew Stoner.
“I saw him only a week or so ago,” Mr O’Farrell said, revealing it was the first time he had spoken to him since the resignation.
“People have busy lives,” he added.
In 7News at 6PM tomorrow: Mr O'Farrell opens up about the next chapter of his life
