After nearly three years, the long-awaited report of the corruption investigation that led to the removal of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian from her position in state politics is set to be released on Thursday.
The findings will determine whether Ms Berejiklian’s five-year secret relationship with the former Wagga Wagga MP, Daryl Maguire influenced her conduct in the office.
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According to Ms Berejiklian, the relationship began around the 2015 state election, while the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) had been listening to the phone calls between the pair since 2017.
In October 2021, Ms Berejiklian was dragged into the corruption investigation initially centred around accusations against Mr Maguire.
These allegations include using his public office for personal financial gain, such as his involvement in the $330 million development near Badgerys Creek with Chinese developer Country Garden.
Days later, when Mr Maguire told Ms Berejiklian that the deal was done, she said: “I don’t need to know about this.”
Shortly after the ICAC announced her as the subject of the investigation, Ms Berejiklian resigned as premier, maintaining her stance that she had “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”.
Later hearings investigated whether Ms Berejiklian violated the public’s trust by promoting projects proposed by Mr Maguire, as well as whether she neglected to report or possibly even supported potentially corrupt activities carried out by the former Liberal MP.
The report to be released on Thursday will also address whether Ms Berejiklian violated the Ministerial Code of Conduct by not disclosing her relationship with Mr Maguire.
To date, Ms Berejiklian has denied all wrongdoing.
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