The NSW state corruption watchdog has found former Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former Member of Parliament Daryl Maguire guilty of “serious corrupt conduct” after a nearly three-year investigation. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) discovered that Berejiklian violated the ministerial code in 2017-18 by not disclosing her relationship with Maguire, while granting over $35 million in government funds to organizations he advocated for. ICAC also determined that Berejiklian engaged in corrupt conduct by failing to report her suspicions about Maguire’s suspicious activities. However, ICAC has decided not to pursue criminal charges against Berejiklian.
Berejiklian resigned from office in October 2021 after the corruption investigation was revealed. She stated that she has always worked in the public interest and thanked the public for their support. Many of her former colleagues defended her, emphasizing that she was not found guilty of breaking any criminal laws.
Maguire, on the other hand, is facing potential charges as ICAC seeks advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. ICAC found that Maguire improperly used his office and resources to benefit a company he was involved with. He had also failed to disclose his sources of income and his position within the company. Maguire had already been charged with giving false evidence in a separate inquiry into allegations of selling visas to foreigners for money, which revealed his secret relationship with Berejiklian.
The findings have been criticized for taking too long to be revealed, but both the Liberal and Labor leaders acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. The Labor premier, Chris Minns, still praised Berejiklian’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. ICAC’s report serves as a warning to politicians and public figures about managing conflicts of interest and declaring them.