By Paul Tatnell
David Campbell, who resigned last night before television footage of him visiting a gay sex club was aired, had been living a double life for more than two decades, Premier Kristina Keneally said today.
Addressing reporters, Ms Keneally said that it was undoubtedly a "very difficult period" for Mr Campbell and his family.
"I do think that under these circumstances David has made the right call, the right call for himself and for his family, to take that time that he and his family clearly need to work through the issues that have arisen," she said.
She said she was "disappointed and angry" about the minister's behaviour but, as a woman, she was concerned for his family, "his wife in particular".
Dramatic day ... Mr Campbell arrives at his home after his resignation as a minister yesterday.Credit: Kirk Gilmour
"I would say speaking as a person and a Premier I was shocked, I was saddened, I'm distressed," Ms Keneally said.
"As his friend I'm disappointed and angry.
"As a Premier ... as a woman, I am concerned for his family and his wife in particular and I cannot imagine the impact this is having particularly on his family and on him at this time."
She did not think it was acceptable for him to abuse the benefits of his office, his car in particular.
She said she did not think that Mr Campbell had previously thought about the impact on his family of his double life.
"It is appalling that he lived a lie, and it is appalling that he lives in a society [in which] he feels he has to live a lie," Ms Keneally said.
Mr Campbell had confirmed he had not been the victim of blackmail or intimidation over his sexuality, she said.
She said he had been living with his secret for more than two decades.
I do think that under these circumstances David has made the right call, the right call for himself and for his family
"He told me his first concern was for his wife and children and that's why he wanted to resign," she said.
She said Mr Campbell was "one of the work horses of my government" and that his record as a minister stood him in very good stead.
She said it was time for everyone to stand back and give Mr Campbell space to deal with his personal issues.
She said his secret had come out "not in a manner of his choosing".
She said human beings were complex individuals and there was "never a black and white in these things".
She said she thought it was "a very difficult situation for David" and for the community to deal with.
"This is a very difficult time for him personally and his family," Ms Keneally said.
"There will be debate whether a person's sexuality has any bearing on [their performance] as a minister or their job performance."
Ms Keneally denied suggestions she or her cabinet knew of Mr Campbell's sexuality or had knowledge that he visited gay sex venues.
She said Mr Campbell had told her he had not been subject to any blackmail or intimidation.
"He has clearly and unambiguously said 'no'," she said.
Callers to talkback radio this morning took opposing stances about whether or not the story was in the public interest, with many saying Mr Campbell's private life was no one else's business, while others said it was hypocritical for the minister to have campaigned in his electorate on family values.
Mr Campbell's resignation sparked a debate today about whether Channel Seven publicising his visit to a gay sex club was in the public interest.
Channel Seven last night aired footage of Mr Campbell leaving Ken's of Kensington, a club in Sydney's eastern suburbs that offers "a venue for men who prefer men".
The footage also showed Mr Campbell driving his government car to and from the club.
Reports today suggested it was known within the NSW cabinet that Mr Campbell, who is married, frequented gay establishments.
The journalist responsible for the story, Channel Seven reporter Adam Walters, told ABC Radio this morning it "was in the public interest to broadcast details of Mr Campbell's personal life" because he campaigned on family values.
"It's blindingly obvious that, since 1999, Mr Campbell has purported to be a family man," he said.
"He's represented himself to the people of [his electorate] Kiera as a family man, even going to the extent of sending Christmas cards to his constituents highlighting the fact that he is a man of family values.
"This is about pretence, it's about integrity, it's about character."