The NSW corruption watchdog has announced it will hand down its report investigating the former premier next Thursday, after lengthy delays.
The Australian’s Legal Affairs Contributor Chris Merritt says the ICAC investigation into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian should have been resolved “much earlier”.
The announcement on Thursday comes more than two and a half years since it was revealed in October 2021 Ms Berejiklian would be investigated by the corruption watchdog.
Shortly after, she stood down as Premier. She has denied all wrongdoing.
The Operation Keppel inquiry was tasked with determining whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust through her decision-making during her secret relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire.
Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will soon learn the outcome of the ICAC investigation. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard
Ms Berejiklian’s five-year relationship with Mr Maguire, which began in 2015, was revealed during an ICAC hearing in October 2020.
The inquiry focused on three points, including whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust in helping Mr Maguire advance projects in Wagga Wagga. In particular focus was a $5.5m grant to the Australian Clay Target Association Incorporated, and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
She was also investigated over whether she failed to report Mr Maguire’s possible corrupt conduct, and whether she directly engaged in conduct that allowed or encouraged Mr Maguire’s “occurrence of corrupt conduct”.
The ICAC had begun public hearings into the conduct of the former Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga that October.
It examined his conduct during his time as an MP, and whether he breached public trust and used his public office for personal gain between 2012 to 2018.
Separate to the investigation, Mr Maguire has since been charged with criminal conspiracy over allegations of visa and migrant fraud between January 2013 and August 2015, while he was in office.
Mr Maguire has not made any plea in relation to the charges and the matter remains before the courts.
Former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire was the main subject of the Operation Keppel investigation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brendan Read
Ms Berejiklian appeared for ICAC questioning for several days. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw
During her emotional resignation announcement as Premier, Ms Berejiklian said the timing of her exit was “out of her control”.
“I love my job and I love serving the community, but I have been given no option,” she said at the time.
“As the leader of the NSW government, I have expected the highest of standards of myself and my colleagues.
“I have made it clear on numerous occasions that if any of my ministers were the subject of allegations being investigated by an integrity agency or law-enforcement, then he or she should stand aside during the course of the investigation until their name was cleared … that same standard must apply to me as Premier.”
Gladys Berejiklian tearfully resigned shortly after the ICAC revealed it was investigating her. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper
The ICAC will hand its report over to the presiding parliamentary officers at 9am next Thursday, June 29.
“If the presiding officers make the report public, it will be made available for download from the ICAC website at www.icac.nsw.gov.au … and via the Commission’s Twitter account”, a statement from the watchdog read.