NSW One Nation leader Mike Newman resigned as a senior trade and investment commissioner after receiving a notice outlining 10 allegations of possible misconduct, including bullying, defying directions and bypassing bureaucratic processes.
Newman, who was based in Japan in the role, is regarded in polling as a potential challenger to NSW Premier Chris Minns. He said he left the position because he was concerned about the state’s public service and wanted to bring about change.
“Knowing what I know and what I believe is a very unprofessionally-run public service, I couldn’t sleep at night,” Newman said.
The notice included an allegation that Newman had breached protocol by sending multiple text messages to the premier’s chief of staff, urging Mr Minns to meet Hyundai representatives.
Newman had argued the meeting was important because the car maker was “keen to invest north of a billion dollars in NSW”.
The allegations also referred to bullying policy, with Newman accused of including senior executives and stakeholders in emails that criticised colleagues.
Asked whether he was a bully, Newman rejected the claim. “No I am not,” he said.
He acknowledged that he held frank discussions at work but denied behaving inappropriately.
“You work in a place like Macquarie Group, and you work in a trading pit, that is a pretty aggressive atmosphere but it doesn’t surmount to bullying,” Newman said.
Newman said he was concerned about the direction of NSW and wanted to effect change as One Nation’s state leader.
