Gladys Berejiklian’s personal life is no one’s business but her own. But when the Premier’s former partner is a disgraced Liberal MP accused of corruption, the state deserves to know.
Berejiklian’s appearance before the corruption watchdog was largely expected to be uneventful particularly because the NSW Premier relishes in describing herself as cautious.
But the stunning revelations that she continued a “close personal relationship” with Daryl Maguire even after he was forced out of Parliament amid corruption allegations are incomprehensible.
Daryl Maguire and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Maguire, a long-term Liberal MP and party whip, quit Parliament in 2018 after it was revealed he tried to broker property deals and seek commission on behalf of a Chinese developer.
His exit forced a disastrous byelection in the once safe Liberal seat of Wagga Wagga, which the government lost to an independent. But still Berejiklian stood by him.
The corruption watchdog heard on Monday Berejiklian was in a relationship with Maguire for five years, from just after the 2015 election until only a few months ago. Again, no one’s business except for the fact that her former partner faces possible criminal charges.
Berejiklian’s appearance before ICAC on Monday made for uncomfortable viewing as phone intercepts were played where Maguire spoke at length to her about his personal finances, as well as his development hopes for land around the Badgerys Creek airport.
She described his plans repeatedly to the hearing as “fanciful” and “pie in the sky” dreams, but nonetheless Berejiklian was a constant sounding board for Maguire.
The commission played a private call where Berejiklian told Maguire: "You will always be my numero uno." Asked what she meant by that, she said she probably meant, "in my personal life I placed importance on how I felt about him."
Berejiklian is undoubtedly the most competent Premier in the country. Her performance throughout COVID-19 has been widely lauded and she can be credited for NSW’s response to a once in a generation pandemic.
There is no suggestion Berejiklian is corrupt. But the same was said for Barry O’Farrell, the last premier to appear before ICAC. It only took a bottle of red wine to end his leadership.
Those close to Berejiklian insist she will not let this end her reign. But she may not be the one who decides her fate. Her colleagues will do that for her.
Berejiklian’s squeaky clean reputation will never be the same. She is completely entitled to a personal life that remains private. But her judgment is under serious question.
Alexandra Smith is the State Political Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2020-10-12 03:43:00Z
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