By MATT NICHOLLS
A YEAR after quitting politics following an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Richard Torbay is no closer to knowing his future.
Twelve months have passed since ICAC officials raided the home and office of Mr Torbay, who was then the Independent MP for Northern Tablelands and the Nationals’ candidate for New England.
His last public appearance as an MP was at the Armidale Cup.
Mr Torbay said he was limited by what he could say, but reiterated that he had no idea when ICAC was going to summons him to a public hearing.
“Despite a year passing I am still waiting to hear from ICAC,” he said.
ICAC media spokesperson Nicole Thomas said the matter was “still operational”.
“There’s not much I can tell you except that it is still under investigation,” she said.
Ms Thomas said there was no time limit on ICAC’s investigation.
“Some cases take less time, some take more,” she said.
“Not all matters end up in a public inquiry.”
Those that do become a “name and shame” process – ICAC has no power to act on evidence.
Gary Sturgess, a former cabinet secretary who created ICAC, said the commission had passed its use-by date and “it really ought not to exist”.
Mr Torbay said he was unable to make any comment on the process, however the Armidale Independent understands he will vigorously defend any allegations of misconduct.
The former MP is still living in Armidale and has been regularly seen having coffee in town and riding his motorbike – a luxury he didn’t have while working as a parliamentarian.
“I’m enjoying my time off and having a good rest,” he told the Independent in an exclusive interview last year.
“After my resignation I was in Sydney getting my affairs in order and spending time with my son.
The rest of the time I have been home.
“When I have been out and about people have been overwhelmingly positive and welcoming towards me.
“I have lost count of the letters and emails I have received in support, they number in their thousands.”
Mr Torbay’s political career began in 1991 when he was elected as a councillor to the then Armidale City Council.
He became deputy mayor a year later and was mayor of Armidale from 1995 to 1998.
In 1999, he took on Nationals MP Ray Chappell for the seat of Northern Tablelands as an Independent.
In an upset, he defeated Mr Chappell around 60-40 in a two-party preferred vote.
From there, Mr Torbay built one of the safest seats in NSW, winning the 2003 and 2007 state elections comfortably.
From 2007 to 2011 he held the position of Speaker in the NSW Parliament and in 2008 he was elected chancellor of the University of New England.
Mr Torbay stunned many in the region when he joined the Nationals in 2012 to take on his former political ally Tony Windsor in last year’s federal election.
The two Independent MPs were once good friends, but had recently parted ways.
Last year, on Tuesday, 19 March – a day after Mr Torbay had been mingling with the public at the Armidale Cup – the Nationals dumped him as their candidate for New England.
The following day Mr Torbay resigned from NSW Parliament and his position at UNE.
Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce won Mr Torbay’s pre-selection ticket for the Nationals and won the seat of New England comfortably after Mr Windsor pulled out of the race prior to the election.
