Gladys Berejiklian's brutal day of giving evidence at ICAC over her relationship with the disgraced Daryl Maguire
It was an excuciating day at ICAC for Gladys Berejiklian, who was forced to sit through a number of recorded phone conversations that she had with Daryl Maguire which revealed dramatic details about the relationship between the former premier and the disgraced politician.
An explosive day of evidence at the corruption watchdog has revealed Gladys Berejiklian told Daryl Maguire she would command $140 million out of Dominic Perrottet “in five minutes” and would “sack” a public servant in ranting phone calls about Maguire’s pet projects.
But despite the big promises to her secret boyfriend, the fallen premier has insisted Maguire received no special treatment or access over any other MP.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating Maguire and Ms Berejiklian over their roles in seeking and approving two grants in Maguire’s electorate of Wagga Wagga.
The first is $5.5m to the Australian Clay Target Association - which the ICAC has previously heard later employed Maguire’s company for a minor commission.
Gladys Berejiklian arrives at ICAC ahead of an intense day of questioning. Picture: Tim Hunter.
The second grant was to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music which received $10m to relocate to government owned premises and was earmarked to receive another $20m for a world class recital hall.
The ICAC has heard both grants had issues with their business cases but there was “pressure” on bureaucrats to get them over the line because Ms Berejiklian had taken a close interest.
The ICAC is also investigating whether she turned a blind eye to Maguire’s alleged corruption in other business dealings.
Tapped phone calls between the lovers, played at the ICAC on Friday, revealed how Maguire lobbied his partner in long and ranting calls about issues in his electorate.
In May 2018, two months before Maguire was caught up in a corruption investigation, he called Ms Berejiklian and complained no money had been set aside for Wagga Hospital.
“I just spoke to Dom (Perrottet) and I said put the $140 (million) in the budget, he goes ‘no worries’ - he just does what I tell him,” Ms Berejiklian told Maguire.
Maguire said the hospital needed $170m and he feared what missing out on the massive funds would do to his re-election prospects.
The media converge on Gladys Berejiklian before her appearance at ICAC.
“All you do is yell at me sometimes, Hokiss,” Ms Berejiklian responded, calling Maguire by an Armenian pet name.
“I just fixed that one, I can’t fix everything...I’ve now got you $170m in five minutes…You can’t have me fixing all the problems all the time.”
Mr Perrottet, now Premier, said on Friday that he had “no comment” on the tapped phone call and won’t provide a “running commentary” on the ICAC investigation.
“My wife messaged me this morning and said ‘why do you do what Gladys asks you to do and not what I ask you to do?” he added in jest.
Premier Perrottet is, in no way, implicated in the ICAC investigation.
Gladys Berejiklian was grilled intensely all day about her relationship with Daryl Maguire.
The ICAC then played another intercepted phone call which captured Maguire and Ms Berejiklian discussing a bureaucrat who needed to “fix” a problem with the conservatorium grant.
“I can’t stand that guy, his head will be gone soon,” Ms Berejiklian told Maguire in November 2017.
“After he fixes it, I’m sacking him.”
Ms Berejiklian said that unnamed bureaucrat was still in the public sector, so she did not follow through on that comment.
Counsel Assisting the Commission Scott Robertson asked Ms Berejiklian, three times, whether Maguire had more access than other backbenchers.
“I would say all my colleagues had equal access in relation to matters regarding their electorate,” she said.
The ICAC has previously heard the couple were considering going public had Maguire retired - but Maguire needed money to do so.
The former premier’s responses became heated when Mr Robertson asked if she felt Maguire’s “money projects” would help the Coalition in Wagga so he could retire.
“That is absolutely not the case - I reject it outright and I find it offensive,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Gladys Berejiklian with Daryl Maguire during their time as MPs.
Maguire told the ICAC he was a “pain in the arse” lobbying ministers and officials to get his projects off the ground.
He told Ms Berejiklian, in one call, he wanted Wagga to become “blazing star of the southern universe”.
Once he gave evidence at the ICAC in July 2018 his political career was spent but his relationship with the Premier continued.
“You need and go and give them a stadium,” Maguire told her in the weeks after he was forced out of parliament.
“I’ll do that too. I’ll do that too, don’t worry,” Ms Berejiklian replied.
Ms Berejiklian assured him she’d “overrule” bureaucrats who stood in her way on the stadium project.
Multiple government officials have told the ICAC they did not know about Ms Berejiklian’s relationship with Maguire and they would have acted differently had it been divulged.
Some of those bureaucrats said they would have contacted supervisors expecting it to end up at the ICAC after Ms Berejiklian’s office had sought to give “unusual” attention to Maguire’s projects.
Ms Berejiklian will continue her evidence on Monday.
RE-CAP THE DAY'S HEARING IN THE BLOG BELOW
Updates
ICAC adjourned: Berejiklian to return on Monday
Gladys Berejiklian will finish giving evidence to ICAC on Monday after a brutal day of testimony.
Berejiklian was grilled continually over why she didn't divulge her relationship with Daryl Maguire but was defiant, claiming it never interfered with her decision making.
A number of phone taps that recorded conversations between Mr Maguire and Ms Berejiklian were played that revealed more details on the relationship between the disgraced former politician and the former Premier.
Read below for a full re-cap of the day's action.
Perrottet no recollection of budget request
Update from James O'Doherty
PREMIER Dominic Perrottet said he didn't recall Gladys Berejiklian asking him to tip $140 million more in the budget for a hospital championed by her secret boyfriend.
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph's Bush Summit, Mr Perrottet refused to make "running commentary" on the ICAC proceedings, but said that he "doesn't recall" a conversation referenced in a taped phone call between Ms Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire tendered to the ICAC.
However he said that $170 million had been allocated to the hospital a year earlier. In phone taps played to the ICAC, Ms Berejiklian told Mr Maguire that she had secured money for the Wagga hospital after speaking with her then-Treasurer.
"I just spoke to Dom … He just does what I ask him to.”
Asked if he always did what Ms Berejiklian said, Mr Perrottet said "no comment".
But, he sadded: "My wife messaged me this morning and said 'why do you do what Gladys asks you to do and not what I ask you to do?
Maguire: 'We have become harlots and prostitutes'
Gladys Berejiklian warned Daryl Maguire that he should not get involved "in anythng you don't need to" in another tapped phone call played to the ICAC hearing.
Maguire then went on a long-winded critique to Berejiklian about how politicians have lost power and were now "prostitutes and harlots". Berejiklian: Yep I just don't get involved in anything you don't need to, that's the bottom line.
Maguire: You know me. I am a helpful type of person.
Berejiklian: I know, but don't, you know. People will use you.
Maguire: They might. But you know what, constituents use you every day. People use you every day. You bear your ass to the world every day for people to raise funds for you and come to your fundraising so they will vote for you and man your booths. You become prostitutes. You have a good long hard think about it. We have … become a harlot and prostitute through no fault of our own. Because of the rules of transparency and arms length of not talking to this person or that person. Or ICAC or anything else. You know, the old 1800 or 1900 art of politics is gone. It is the same as a football referee.
You know, the referee is not in charge. The media and the viewing world are in charge of what decisions are made. Not the referee running around the field. They are not in charge. That's how it is. That's how it is. And it is getting worse… And big brother, you know, they can tap into every phone conversation there is, absolutely unfettered power, no-one has any power. They could probably accidently listen to any call that was being made between me and this phone and any individual that I choose to talk to including you.
Berejiklian: Is that can be a problem? Why? What have you done?
Maguire: Nothing…. I don't even know these people, but I am just saying to you that is the power that these organisations have. And that is the real issue. No-one can have a conversation, even if something does or doesn't happen, it is deemed have happened.
Berejiklian: But as your lawyer has said, you have done nothing wrong you don't have to worry. Correct. Just be honest and take her advice.
Maguire: Correct, absolutely nothing.
'I've never accepted a dollar'
Gladys Berejiklian ears pricked up when Daryl Maguire confided in her that he had been called to appear at ICAC.
During the tapped phone call, Berejiklian asked a number of questions but said she was not concerned at the time because Maguire told her he had done nothing wrong.
Berejiklian: Is there anything to worry about?
Maguire: I've never accepted a dollar, never done a deal.
Berejiklian: So why are you being subpoenaed? Maguire: I've been summoned as a witness Berejiklian: For what?
Maguire: Who knows? I think what the benefit of the skulduggery… Berejiklian: I don't want to know any of that stuff.
Berejiklian later added..."Just make sure you answer everything as directly and honestly and take the advice of the lawyer. "
I find it offensive - Berejiklian fires up at questioning
Gladys Berejiklian has told counsel assisting Scott Robertson that she has found his line of questioning offensive in relation to why she was happy about the "money projects" being approved for Wagga.
Robertson: Was it at least a factor why at that point in time you considered Mr Maguire's money projects to help you as a desire of increasing the standard of the Coalition in Wagga Wagga with a view to making it easier for Mr Maguire to be in a position to retire at the next election?
Berejiklian: That is absolutely not the case. I reject it outright and I find it offensive.
Robertson: One matter considered by you and Mr Maguire during 2018 with the possibility of Mr Maguire retiring from Parliament at the next election and the two of you going public with respect to your relationship, was that right? Berejiklian: I was not convinced he was going to retire. In my mind he was still indecisive.
Robertson: Well, what is the answer to the question, without one matter being considered? Berejiklian: No, no, I am sorry, in terms of what could happen in the future in terms of a possible strengthening of the relationship, yes, but did it impact on any decision I made? Absolutely not. Robertson: Not impacted all? Berejiklian: No, no and I'm quite offended by the question if I can say that. Really offended. Because every decision I make is in the public interest.
Berijiklian defends her stance
There is no deviation from the questioning on why Gladys Berejiklian did not reveal her relationship to Daryl Maguire in respect of the funding of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
Ms Berejiklian is adamant there was no conflict of interest, repeating she did not feel her relationship with Mr Maguire was of sufficient status.
"It did not cross my mind because for me this was a black and white issue of a community issue, and electorate issue. It had nothing to do with what they may or may not have felt about anybody," Ms Berejiklian told ICAC.
"This had everything to do with, was it a worthwhile project? Was it of community benefit? And wasn't something government should support. It had nothing to do with my personal feelings and I want to make very clear that in all of my decisions, they always separated what I've felt personally or what they may have felt with somebody as opposed to what I did in public life and I want to make that very clear.
"I worked my guts out in roles that I had, I always put the public interest first. I did not think there was any conflict because this was an issue about and electorate, about thousands of people who may have benefited from a government decision and on its merits, I'm made the decision on the merits of the proposal."
McColl is probing Berejiklian about relationship with Maguire
ICAC Commissioner Ruth McColl is drilling down on why Gladys Berejiklian did not reveal her Daryl Maguire relationship.
McColl: I get the impression from these answers you are giving to Scott Robertson whether or not you declared the relationship in relation to decisions concerning the Riverina Conservatorium of Music that it did turn your mind to whether you should disclose that at the time?
Berejiklian: I don't think I did, Commissioner…
McColl: Never crossed your mind?
Berejiklian: "(It) was nothing I needed to disclose because it was in my personal life and we do not share anything in common apart from that close personal relationship. We lead separate lives. I did not feel it was at a state which the threshold for me was would introduce them to my parents? My sisters? Was I confident it was going to be something to last the distance of time? I didn't feel that. "
Key points from this morning's hearing
*Berejiklian heard telling 'appreciative' ex-boyfriend she would give Wagga Wagga 'more money than ever before'.
*Heard saying the then-treasurer, now NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet “just does what I ask him to do”
*She ‘would not have’ disclosed relationship if she had her time again
*Refused to accept Maguire had greater access to her as a senior minister while they were in a relationship.
I can't stand that guy....his head will be gone soon
Gladys Berejiklian promised ex-boyfriend Daryl Maguire she would fire a public official she disliked – but only after he “fixed” funding for Maguire's pet project, ICAC heard.
The Riverina Conservatorium of Music is one of two grants examined in this inquiry after they were awarded $10 million and earmarked for another $20m. Ms Berejiklian was asked if she was influenced by Mr Maguire to not fire a public official she “disliked” until he pushed through the funding.
In a phone recording played to ICAC the former premier said “I can’t stand that guy” and promised Mr Maguire he would get the sack.
“His head will be gone soon,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Not until he fixes my conservatorium,” Mr Maguire said.
“Alright good tell him to fix it and then after he fixes it I'm sacking him.”
The public official, who is still employed in government, cannot be named.
Ms Berejiklian said Mr Maguire’s advocacy for the conservatorium wasn’t the main reason the official’s sacking was delayed, but could be one of the reasons.
When asked about the $5.5 million Australian Clay Target Association grant also examined in this inquiry, Ms Berejiklian said she only supported the grant to “raise stocks” in the regions after losing the Orange byelection to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers.
‘All you do is shout at me’: Gladys’ phone taps with ex-lover
Update from Jessica McSweeney and Perry Duffin
Phone taps between Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire have been played to ICAC where the former premier is heard telling her “appreciative” ex-boyfriend she would give Wagga Wagga “more money than ever before”.
The intercepts of conversations between the former couple in 2018 have been played to the inquiry.
In the recordings, the disgraced former MP complains about lack of funding for Wagga Wagga and Tumut hospitals, saying he would lose his seat at the state election.
“I’ve already got you the Wagga hospital,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I just spoke to Dom [current Premier Dominic Perrottet] and I said ‘just put the $140 in the budget’, he goes ‘no worries’. He does what I ask him to. “Please don’t get yourself worked up again because all you do is shout at me sometimes."
Ms Berejiklian says repeatedly that she will “fix it” for Mr Maguire.
In another extract Ms Berejiklian said she had secured Mr Maguire $170 million for Wagga Hospital and that he needed to text "Brad" for more money.
“I just got you $170 million in five minutes,” she said.
“You can’t have me fixing all the problems all the time.”
Ms Berejiklian denies all wrongdoing.
Former premier Gladys Berejiklian arrives at ICAC hearing.
She told the Independent Commission Against Corruption if she had her time over, she still would not disclose her relationship with Daryl Maguire.
“I had those feelings but I was never assured a level of commitment which in my mind would have required me to introduce him to my parents or introduce him to my sisters or regarded as sufficiently significant to declare,” the former premier said.
When asked by counsel assisting Scott Robertson if she considered Mr Maguire as family, Ms Berejiklian said she never regarded Mr Maguire as family “in a legal sense”. Ms Berejiklian said she “had strong feelings for him”.
However Ms Berejiklian was shown text messages sent from her phone in April 2018 referring to him as her family by Mr Robertson.
She was asked more than 10 times by Mr Robertson if Mr Maguire was her family as the counsel assisting struggled to get a straight answer.
Among the former premier’s answers were that Maguire was not family in a legal sense, not family financially, not family for purposes of the public record, not like her sisters and parents, and within her “love circle”.
The Commissioner Ruth McColl AO warned Ms Berejiklian about giving overly lengthy answers to Mr Robertson’s questions.
Ultimately she relented – Maguire was like family though in a way distinct from her blood relatives.
“Did you or did you not regard Mr Maguire as part of your family as at the 12th of April 2018,” Mr Robertson asked.
“I didn’t regard him as a member of my family in the same way that I regard my parents and my sisters. I regarded him as a part of my love circle, part of the people that I strongly cared for, but I wouldn’t have put him in the same category as my parents or my sisters,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The former premier said she changed the locks to her house last year after earlier giving Mr Maguire a key to her home.
Ms Berejiklian refused to accept that Mr Maguire had greater access to her as a senior minister while they were in a relationship.
She said she would only intervene to fix problems for Mr Maguire through official channels and got no preferential treatment.
Mr Robertson appeared frustrated as Ms Berejiklian gave elusive answers to questions about Mr Maguire’s access to the former premier.
“Are you having some difficulty with my questions?”
“Mr Robertson I’m just concerned you’re skewing the fact all my colleagues rightly deserved my attention,” she responded.
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