NSW ministers get PowerPoint presentation on disclosure rules

A top lawyer was called in to ensure a repeat of a relationship like Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire’s won’t happen in government again.

Cabinet ministers were given a refresher course on their disclosure obligations under the Ministerial Code of Conduct after Dominic Perrottet “laid down the law” shortly after taking over as Premier.

The reminder came after Gladys Berejiklian was forced to resign over a corruption investigation relating to her conduct, and whether she should have disclosed her “close personal relationship” with Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

As Ms Berejiklian prepares to face a second bruising day of examination at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Monday, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the government’s top lawyer gave a PowerPoint presentation to ministers outlining what constituted a conflict of interest.

The presentation, given by Department of Premier and Cabinet deputy secretary Kate Boyd, came as early as Mr Perrottet’s second cabinet meeting in the top job, sources said.

NSW ministers were given a talking to after the resignation of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Adam Yip

The question of whether Ms Berejiklian was required to disclose her relationship with her secret lover, Mr Maguire, is one of the questions being probed by the ICAC investigation into the former premier.

Giving evidence on Friday, Ms Berejiklian said given her time again, she would not have disclosed the relationship.

On Friday the ICAC heard that Ms Berejiklian had sent Mr Maguire a text message telling him: “You are my family”. She later said that was a “turn of phrase” and not “literal”. She said Mr Maguire was part of her “love circle”.

Mr Perrottet yesterday said he had “spoken to all ministers in the government in relation to their obligations under the Code of Conduct”. One cabinet source said the Premier had “laid down the law”.

Mr Perrottet yesterday left the door open to strengthening the code if required. “Once that evidence is concluded the ICAC will make its findings, and if there are any decisions or actions the NSW government needs to make we will.”