"As I have said before, I believe the public’s confidence in the integrity of government decision making is absolutely paramount. I believe ICAC’s review is an important step in maintaining the public’s confidence in these matters." Mr Sidoti continued to deny "any allegations of wrongdoing" in announcing his decision to stand down. "Today I contacted Premier Gladys Berejiklian and offered to stand aside from Cabinet, while the ICAC conducts its preliminary investigation," he said in a statement. "The Premier has accepted my offer. The allegations made against me by the media and exacerbated by the Opposition and the crossbench in budget estimates and Parliament, are false and inaccurate. "I deny any allegations of wrongdoing. I have no undeclared conflicts of interest or benefits. I comply with the ministerial code of conduct. It is a privilege to represent the people of NSW and I look forward to having my name cleared."

Ms Berejiklian said Mr Sidoti had given "strong assurances he has acted appropriately" at all times and complied with the ministerial code of conduct. Loading "Mr Sidoti has offered to stand aside from Cabinet while ICAC conducts its preliminary investigation and I have accepted his offer," she said. He was twice referred to the ICAC last Thursday - by a parliamentary committee and by Labor leader Jodi McKay after his estimates appearance. Mr Sidoti was grilled for two hours by the committee last week about his property interests in Rouse Hill, near Tallawong metro station, and in Five Dock, near a potential future metro site.

Mr Sidoti repeatedly maintained he had "complied with my obligations" as he was accused of belatedly declaring his interests in several properties on his parliamentary disclosure records. He also would not confirm how he acquired a 10 per cent stake in a property at 38 Cudgegong Road, Rouse Hill, which increased in value from $4.1 million to $70 million after favourable planning decisions. It was also revealed last week that the NSW Liberal Party has been forced to return a donation made by Chinese property developer Ming Shang, who also has a stake in the Rouse Hill property. The $1750 donation was made at a fundraiser for Mr Sidoti in February 2015, when he was a parliamentary secretary for planning. A NSW Liberal Party spokesman said the party took its obligations under state electoral funding and disclosure laws "very seriously" and was "working with the NSW Electoral Commission to forfeit that donation".