1. Guest
  2. Login | Subscribe
 
     
Forgot Login?  

FREE Newsletter Subscription, Click The 'Subscribe' Button Below To Subscribe!

Weekday News Bulletin

PortMac.News FREE Weekday Email News Bulletin

Be better informed, subscribe to our FREE weekday news Update service here:

PortMac Menu

A fortnight on from Gladys's bombshell resignation, the allegations that led to her departure will be examined as ICAC starts investigation into whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust.

Source : PortMac.News | Independent :

Source : PortMac.News | Independent | News Story:

main-block-ear
 
Gladys Berejiklian 'Witch Hut' ICAC inquiry starts today
A fortnight on from Gladys's bombshell resignation, the allegations that led to her departure will be examined as ICAC starts investigation into whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust.

News Story Summary:

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold public hearings for the next two weeks, as part of their investigation into whether Ms Berejiklian breached the public trust or turned a blind eye to any alleged corrupt behaviour by her ex-boyfriend Daryl Maguire.

Mr Maguire, the former Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga, has been the subject of a lengthy ICAC investigation, called Operation Keppel, into whether he used his public position to benefit his private business interests.

This was spurred by his admission during an ICAC hearing in 2018 into the former Canterbury City Council, that he sought payment to help broker a deal with a Chinese property developer.

He resigned from parliament in the wake of that admission.

It was during another public hearing a year ago that Ms Berejiklian admitted to being in a five-year secret relationship with the former MP.

At the time, she said Mr Maguire had been a trusted colleague for 15 years and that developed into a "Close personal relationship".

But Ms Berejiklian said it was not of sufficient status to declare publicly and she hadn't even told her family about it.

While Ms Berejiklian's resignation came as a shock to many, there had been questions in political circles ever since she made that admission about whether she would also be caught up in the ICAC probe.

The watchdog will be investigating whether Ms Berejiklian breached the public trust in relation to two multi-million dollar grants awarded in Mr Maguire's Wagga Wagga electorate, to the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.

"History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW who I have had the privilege to serve," Ms Berejiklian said during her resignation speech.

Predecessor among first witnesses:

Several witnesses will front the ICAC this week, the most high-profile is Mike Baird — Gladys Berejiklian's predecessor.

He was NSW premier from April 2014 to January 2017, during which time Ms Berejiklian was minister for transport and then treasurer.

One of Mr Baird's former senior advisers, Nigel Blunden, will give evidence after him on Wednesday.

The other witness to watch will be the Jobs Minister, and newly installed deputy leader of the NSW Liberals, Stuart Ayres.

Mr Ayres was sports minister from the beginning of 2017 until April 2019.

The ABC's 7.30 program revealed that after Mr Maguire initially wrote to then-treasurer Ms Berejiklian in early 2016 about the ACTA funding, she replied referring the matter to Mr Ayres.

He initially declined to fund the project, saying it fell "Outside the scope of current sport and recreation funding programs, as the funding amount sought is in excess of the maximum amount available under current grant programs."

It eventually did go on to be funded, so it's likely the ICAC will probe what went on behind the scenes to reverse that initial decision of Mr Ayres.

The other witnesses called this week are all senior bureaucrats who have worked across a variety of government departments including the Office of Sport and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

"What ICAC will be looking at is whether or not the public purpose to what the fund was diverted, or perverted even, by personal considerations," explained former ICAC counsel assisting and director of the Centre for Public Integrity, Geoffrey Watson SC.

He said the timing of these hearings, despite Ms Berejiklian's complaints, proves the independence of the watchdog.

"ICAC's absolutely meticulous in the investigation process — they follow up every lead, they look at every person that could be involved … the fact is they would know a lot before they go into the [public] inquiry," Mr Watson said.

"A popular premier is under investigation in difficult circumstances, that's the time to do it, because it shows you're independent of a person's popularity and the political processes."

Ms Berejiklian expected in week two:

It's expected Ms Berejiklian will be called to front the ICAC in the week starting October 25.

The watchdog will also be considering whether she turned a blind eye to any suspected corrupt behaviour by Mr Maguire.

"One of the obligations cast upon politicians and public officials generally is actually to make a report to ICAC in the event that they see disturbing conduct, which might amount to corrupt conduct," Mr Watson said.

"The question will arise whether or not certain people, including the former premier, should have revealed information to ICAC ahead of time.

"That's a critical and difficult issue especially when you've got emotional relationships involved in it."

During her ICAC appearance last year, Ms Berejiklian denied knowledge of Mr Maguire's business dealings because she had been either not interested or felt her then boyfriend, a "Big talker", was being "Fanciful".

She denied actively limiting the information Mr Maguire told her about his business interests, to avoid being put in a position of having to do something about it.

"I would never ever … turn a blind eye from any responsibility I had to disclose any wrongdoing that I saw or any activity that I thought was not in keeping with what a member of Parliament should be doing," Ms Berejiklian told the ICAC in October 2020.

Story By | Kathleen Calderwood


Same | News Story' Author : Staff-Editor-02

Users | Click above to view Staff-Editor-02's 'Member Profile'

Share This Information :

Submit to DeliciousSubmit to DiggSubmit to FacebookSubmit to Google PlusSubmit to StumbleuponSubmit to TechnoratiSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedIn

Add A Comment :


Security code

Please enter security code from above or Click 'Refresh' for another code.

Refresh


All Comments are checked by Admin before publication

Guest Menu

All Content & Images Copyright Portmac.news & Xitranet© 2013-2024 | Site Code : 03601