Gladys Berejiklian launches legal challenge against ICAC findings that she engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct’
- Former NSW premier launches legal challenge to ICAC findings
- Watchdog found she engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct’
Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has launched legal proceedings against the ICAC after the watchdog found she had engaged in “serious corrupt conduct”.
Ms Berejiklian launched a legal challenge to the ICAC’s findings after it was found earlier this year that she had committed a “serious” breach of the ministerial code by failing to disclose her relationship with her former partner Daryl Maguire.
The report reveals she oversaw the approval of two grants in Mr Maguire’s Wagga Wagga electorate: a $5.5 million grant to the Australian Clay Target Association and a $10 million grant for the renovation of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
She also failed in her ministerial duties by failing to report her suspicions that Mr Maguire had engaged, or may have engaged, in corrupt conduct, the report said.
Ms Berejiklian launched a legal challenge to the ICAC’s findings after finding earlier this year she had committed a “serious” breach of the ministerial code.
Despite the findings, the ICAC did not recommend that she face criminal prosecution.
Ms Berejiklian will now challenge the ICAC’s findings in the Court of Appeal.
The case will first come before the court on October 9.
The ICAC report reveals she oversaw the approval of two grants in former MP Daryl Maguire’s electorate of Wagga Wagga.
The ICAC ruled that Mr Maguire had abused his public office during his time as an MP to promote his own financial interests and those of his associates, whilst deliberately not disclosing his position and potential pecuniary benefits.
“Let us not forget that while he represented the people of Wagga and the region, he worked tirelessly for his constituents,” Mr Maguire said in a statement released in July.
“Indeed, he was described in the evidence as a dog with a bone, a staunch defender of the electorate or a pain in the ass when it came to securing improvements for the Wagga electorate.”
