The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has claimed another Liberal party scalp.



The member for Swansea, Garry Edwards, has stood aside from the party after being named at a corruption hearing.

He becomes the ninth NSW Liberal MP to be sidelined amid revelations at the Icac.

“I look forward to an early opportunity to clear my name,” Edwards said in a statement. “In the meantime, I have decided to stand aside from the parliamentary Liberal party. I have informed the premier of my decision and he has accepted it.”

Earlier on Thursday the Newcastle property baron Jeff McCloy told the Icac that he gave about $1,500 to Edwards. The now mayor of Newcastle said he handed out so much cash to MPs that he felt like a walking ATM.

Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell quit the NSW parliament this week after corruption watchdog revelations that they were given $10,000 each in the lead-up to the 2011 election.

Developers are barred from making political donations in NSW.

Giving evidence, McCloy said he handed over cash to Edwards as well.

“Apart from Mr Owen and Mr Cornwell, which other politicians did you give cash money to?” counsel assisting, Geoffrey Watson, asked.

“The guy from Swansea came to see me, Garry – he rang me – it was [on a] a Saturday. He came round to my home; whatever was in my wallet, 1,500 bucks, raffle tickets or something. I gave him a few bob.”

McCloy appeared relaxed in the witness box, quipping: “They all come to see me for money; I feel like a walking ATM some days.”

He denied giving money to the former NSW government ministers Michael Gallacher and Chris Hartcher, but said that he had a niggling suspicion he had given to the family of another Hunter politician, the former environment minister Robyn Parker.

“Robyn Parker’s interesting because I can’t piece it together,” he said.

“I’ve had my staff look at all the local politicians, going through all the cheques … It was only recently when they looked at Robyn and we couldn’t find anything.

“I have a nagging thing in the back of my head about some CDs for her husband. Was that so? I am not sure.”

Parker was dumped from cabinet in the premier’s April reshuffle.

The inquiry continues.